Kate ScotterA bowls club which is steeped in more than 100 years of history is hoping for a cash injection from an exciting Evening News-backed initiative.Kate Scotter

A bowls club which is steeped in more than 100 years of history is hoping for a cash injection from an exciting Evening News-backed initiative.

We are giving community groups in Norwich the chance to apply for a chunk of �62,500 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 from all corners of the city.

Wensum Bowls Club, based at the Old Catton Recreation Ground, is one of the groups which have applied for the money.

If they win a grant, which can be between �500 and �1,000, it will go towards improving their clubhouse and changing facilities.

John Dickerson, 74, club secretary, said: 'We're an old established club and we now play at the Old Catton Rec where we've got a wooden hut to change in, which is falling to pieces. We would really like to improve it.

'The Sport Relief Community Cash fund is a lovely project and it could really help us. We share the place with the Anglia TV bowls club so it would help them too.'

The club, which celebrated its centenary in 2006, used to be based at Waterloo Park, where arsonists tried to set fire to the pavilion five years ago.

Formed by the original shoe trade in Norwich, the club has been based at the Old Catton Recreation Ground, in Church Lane, since last year and has more than 30 members. The Anglia TV Bowls Club is based at the same site and has a similar number of members.

To apply for the Sport Relief Community Cash grant, 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 or www.norfolkfoundation.com/Community-Cash.htm, write to Sport Relief Grants, Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE, or visit the Evening News office at Prospect House in Norwich.

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