COMMUNITY groups across Hampshire have received a cash boost from a national lottery scheme.

Tens of thousands of pounds have been distributed by Awards For All - a grants scheme for neighbourhood projects.

Deserving groups to have scooped the grants include sports clubs, football and swimming clubs as well as school projects and schemes to do with the elderly and those with learning disabilities.

One group whose members were thrilled to receive news of their award is The Pukaar Group in Southampton.

With a whopping cash injection of £5,000 from the lottery they will be able to put on more of their multi-cultural music workshops for adults.

Chairman Romail Gulzaar said: "We are thrilled. The money will really help to build up our workshops as well as our relationship with the community."

All sorts of different organisations can apply for the lottery cash so long as they bring some sort of benefit to the community.

Matt Anderson, Awards for All's senior awards officer for the south east, said: "We are pleased to announce these latest awards and we continue to make awards throughout the year. If groups have good idea they should take a look at our website to see if they might qualify for funding or call us to obtain an application pack.

"We'd particularly like to hear from groups that celebrate local history or bring heritage to life."

More information about applying for Awards For All funding can be found by contacting 0845 600 2040 or visiting the Awards for All website at: www.awardsforall.org.uk

GROUPS TO HAVE RECEIVED AWARDS ARE:

Hamble Community Sports College - £4,190. IT training and equipment for older members of the community.

Hiltingbury Infant School - £4,970. Dance and drama after-school project to bring Indian culture to children.

Fareham & Gosport Gingerbread Club - £4,450. Trips for the local support group for single parents and their children.

Fareham and Gosport PCT - £1,404. Exercise sessions for people with learning disabilities.

Countryside Education Trust, New Forest - £5,000. Provision of disabled access to the site to include ramps and improved pathways.

Liberty Child, Southampton - £5,000. To enable this new group to take 25 disabled children on holiday to Cornwall.

Pukaar Project, Southampton - £5,000. To enable the multi-cultural group to develop music workshops for refugee musicians.