Dozens of groups have the chance to benefit from a slice of �62,500 as the Norwich Evening News joins forces with Sport Relief and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

Dozens of groups have the chance to benefit from a slice of �62,500 as the Norwich Evening News joins forces with Sport Relief and the Norfolk Community Foundation.

For the first time, a Community Cash fund raised through Sport Relief, a fundraising initiative of Comic Relief, is available to community groups in Norwich.

Grants of up to �1,000 are available to small organisations in the city that are doing great work to help local people living tough lives.

With the help of the Norfolk Community Foundation, the money will be distributed to those who need it most. People will be able to apply for the grant through the Norwich Evening News website.

Tim Williams, editor of the Evening News, said: 'This new Comic Relief initiative is fantastic for Norwich. More than 60 groups in Norwich will benefit from grants of up to �1,000 and we know that will make a huge difference to a whole range of people in our community.

'Being based at the heart of Norwich life, our team comes across organisations every day for whom a grant like this would transform things for the people they help.

'I would urge as many people as possible to take advantage of this unique opportunity by applying for one of the grants. I will take enormous pleasure in helping to advise Comic Relief on where the money can have the most impact.

'Comic Relief is an inspirational charity with a proven track record in creatively helping those in need in this country. The Evening News is delighted to be able to help them here in Norwich.'

Grants of between �500 and �1,000 are available to groups in the Norwich City Council local authority area, which are run by local people, work in a disadvantaged or deprived area of Norwich and have an income of less than �50,000.

Groups which would be eligible to apply include parent and toddler groups, lunch clubs, youth and older people's groups, sports clubs and groups that help befriend the elderly.

Comedian David Walliams, who swam the English Channel for Sport Relief in 2006, said: 'Sport Relief has teamed up with the Norwich Evening News to give the local organisations that help people living incredibly tough lives in Norwich the chance to apply for a grant of up to �1,000 - part of our �1m-worth of grants that will be awarded to groups working to improve their local communities all across the UK.'

Since Sport Relief was launched in 2002, more than 1.25 million people have taken part in Sport Relief, helping to raise more than �75m.

Grants will not be awarded to individuals, statutory organisations, such as primary care trusts and schools, or groups which are not constituted.

The funding will not be given to help fund trips abroad, buses or minibuses, or to fund building costs. Grants are restricted to one per group.

t ?Read this story online to download an application form and find out more information at www.eveningnews24.co.uk

t The deadline for applications is March 5.

t ?Completed applications should be sent to Norfolk Community Foundation, St James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich NR3 1SH.