FUNDING of up to £10,000 is being offered to local charities and community organisations delivering frontline work that will help communities recover from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

The first phase of the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal, launched by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), has already seen grants of almost £500,000 being awarded to more than 170 local good causes across the county, including food deliveries for older people, online counselling, activity packs for disadvantaged children and support for struggling families.

Justin Sargent, SCF chief executive , said: “Since the lockdown started, we have seen an incredible response from charities, community groups and volunteers who have worked tirelessly and collaboratively to ensure our neighbours were cared for and supported.

“Groups have created new services and adapted existing services to continue supporting those in need online or by phone.

“But we know many groups are facing a combination of increased demand for support, alongside losing income due to coronavirus.

“This next phase of funding will focus on helping local groups respond to the changing needs in their communities and supporting their financial resilience so they can continue their work over the next year and beyond.

“Our communities will need them more than ever in the years to come as we recover from the wide-ranging impacts of coronavirus.”

Any groups wishing to apply should visit the SCF website where they can find guidance on how to make an application: www.somersetcf.org.uk/coronavirus

The funding has been made available thanks to generous contributions made to the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal by local individuals, charitable trusts and businesses, as well as funding from the national appeal, run by the National Emergencies Trust (NET).

The Somerset Coronavirus Appeal, which was launched on March 19, now stands at £850,000. The charity aims to raise a total of £1.5m through the appeal.