Kate ScotterA young gymnastics group is hoping for a slice of �62,500 to help improve its range of equipment and boost membership.Kate Scotter

A young gymnastics group is hoping for a slice of �62,500 to help improve its range of equipment and boost membership.

The Evening News is giving community groups in Norwich the chance to apply for grants of up to �1,000 after teaming up with Sport Relief and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

A wide range of organisations, from parent and toddler groups to those which help the elderly, can stake their claim for the money.

Over the past few weeks, applications have been coming in.

Chermond School of Gymnastics and Dance, based at the City Academy Norwich in Earlham Road, is one of the groups to have applied for the money.

If they win a grant, which can be between �500 and �1,000, it will go towards a new free-standing boys' high bar.

Ray Alcock, who founded the gym club with his wife Cherie in 1980, said: "We've now set up the boys' side of our club and we need a free-standing bar which would be suitable for boys aged six to 11."

The club specialises in gymnastics and circus skills. Over the past few years, it has struggled to find a permanent home and still can only use equipment which the gym structure can cope with.

It has about 20 boys on its books and is hoping more will join.

Mr Alcock said: "The Community Cash grants are a good idea and could really help groups like ours quite a lot."

Eligible groups must be in the Norwich City Council area, run by local people, have an income of less than �50,000 and work in a deprived or disadvantaged area.

Groups which can apply include parent and toddler groups, lunch clubs, youth and older people's groups and sports clubs. Grants will not be awarded to individuals, statutory organisations or groups which are not constituted. The funding will not be given to help fund trips abroad, mini-buses or to fund building costs. Grants are restricted to one per group.

� For an application form, visit the website www.eveningnews24.co.uk, write to Sport Relief Grants, Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE, or visit the Evening News at Prospect House.

� The deadline for applications is March 5. Completed applications should be sent to Norfolk Community Foundation, St James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich NR3 1SH.