GRANTS of up to £2,500 are available for smaller charities and grassroots groups from The Somerset Fund.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is encouraging charities and community groups run on less than £100,000 per year to apply.

The grants are unrestricted, so can be used to pay for ongoing running costs.

Applications should be made through SCF’s website by Monday, February 22.

SCF development director Laura Blake said: "We’re hugely grateful to the local businesses and individuals who have chosen to give through The Somerset Fund so far. It has already supported 84 good causes in the county and awarded more than £120,000 in grants to local grassroots charities.

“It's a great way for local people to give to local good causes, helping to strengthen our charities and communities and change lives across Somerset.

"All donations are matched by 50 per cent thanks to funding from Somerset County Council."people's mental health;

The fund supports local people of all ages and a wide range of causes, including giving the best start in life to the most disadvantaged children; growing young people's life skills; improving people's mental health; increasing opportunities for better physical health; supporting people with disabilities and life-limiting illnesses, and their carers; combatting loneliness and isolation.

County council leader Cllr David Fothergill said: “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the wonderful work that grassroots charities and community groups do every day.

"Support is vital and donations will reach charities and groups who would otherwise struggle to raise funds of their own and for whom small grants make a huge difference.”

If you run a business and like to donate to The Somerset Fund, visit somersetcf.org.uk/tsf or call Laura Blake on 01749 344949, or e-mail laura.blake@somersetcf.org.uk

For more on applying for a grant, go to somersetcf.org.uk/somersetfund or call Somerset Community Foundation 01749 344949.