Kate ScotterA group which has benefited from Sport Relief funding in the past is urging Norwich community organisations to apply for a share of �62,500.Kate Scotter

A group which has benefited from Sport Relief funding in the past is urging Norwich community organisations to apply for a share of �62,500.

As previously reported, the money is up for grabs as part of an initiative set up with the Evening News, Sport Relief and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

Community groups, including Norwich-based charities and parent and toddler groups, can apply for grants of between �500 and �1,000.

In a bid to boost applicants, officials from Football in the Community have said how they have benefited from money received from Comic Relief, the charity behind the sponsorship initiative Sport Relief, and how they plan to take part in the Sport Relief Mile.

Football in the Community, which runs schemes to engage young people in sport, was able to set up the Extra Time project after winning a grant from Comic Relief.

The project is for people over 50 and organises sport and leisure activities.

Dan Goffin, FITC health development officer, who has pledged to run six miles on March 21, said: 'Extra Time has been a fantastic project for us. It launched a couple of years ago and it's getting bigger and bigger.

'The funding comes from Sport Relief and the Football Foundation. Without the Sport Relief funding it would cost the users quite a lot of money to come each week, so with that funding and the funding from the Football Foundation it enables them to keep coming at a price that's not very expensive.'

Football in the Community won a grant of �28,500 which was put towards Extra Time and towards extending its youth project Street Sport.

David Helsdon, Football in the Community's communications manager, said: 'Without Sport Relief funding we wouldn't have been able to continue the Extra Time project for this year, so it's incredibly important for us. Running the Sport Relief is a way for us to say thank you and put a little bit back into such a great charity.'

The Norwich Sport Relief Mile, which is being organised in partnership with Norwich City Council, is one of 16 flagship mile events taking part in the country. It will follow a route from the Theatre Royal, through Chapelfield Gardens to the Forum.

To enter, go to www.sportrelief.com

Are you part of a community group in Norwich? If so, you may be able to bid for up to �1,000. Take a look at the panel to find out how to apply.