Grants totalling £60,000 are being distributed to Hampshire charities and community groups.

The money has been allocated by Awards for All, which gives grants of between £500 and £5,000 to community projects.

The scheme is backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Council for England, the New Opportunities Fund, the Community Fund and Sport England.

Calshot Sailing Club receives the maximum amount payable,£5,000, for new boats.

The Hawks cricket team, based in Eastleigh, also gets £5,000 to start a squad for disabled players. The group trains at Fleming Park every Sunday between 1-3pm, and people can join in for £2 per session. For details call Ryan Cross or Leon Badger on 023-80260616 or 07736-792795.

A windfall of £4,976 goes to Twiggs Lane Pre-School at Marchwood, near Southampton. The money will be used for outdoor play equipment, protective fencing and safety surfacing.

Leigh House School, in Winchester, receives £4,750. The school is run by Hampshire County Council and provides learning support to youngsters between 12 and 16 with mental health problems.

The money will be used to organise art and music workshops on a weekly basis.

A cheque for £4,590 goes to Eastleigh Young Carers, part of the Eastleigh Community Services group. They will produce a video, with professional help, to highlight the issued faced by 11-18-year-olds caring for ill relatives.

Heidi Kavanagh, Young Carers project co-ordinator, said: "The more people who are made aware of what it means to be a young carer, the more support these young people will feel they have."

The 3rd Ringwood Scout Group receives £3,800 to pay for a new air rifle range and training for members.

Also in the New Forest, Hordle Church of England Primary School picks up £3,440 to establish an after-school basketball club.

The school hopes to work with the Solent Stars basketball franchise to organise a tournament for pupils.

Micheldever Youth Club receives £3,300 to encourage more teenagers to use the venue, which is already popular with the under-13s.

A grant of £2,100 goes to Stanmore Youth Centre Limited in Winchester, to train youngsters, Scouts and church groups in making Power Point presentations.

Wellow Tennis Club, near Romsey, which is a not-for-profit organisation, receives £1,200 to build a training wall.

Whiteley Parent and Toddler group gets £1,000 to install a soft play area. The group meets every week at the village community centre.

Waltham Chase Pre-School, near Bishop's Waltham, receives £600 towards art and music workshops.

For more information about Awards For All and how to apply for a grant, call 0845-6002040, or visit www.awardsforall.org.uk