Scores of applicants for Norwich Community Cash campaign

The future of Norwich community groups will be boosted by thousands of pounds worth of grants after an overwhelming response to this year's Community Cash campaign.

A flurry of applications on deadline day left organisers 'delighted' by the reaction from the city groups hoping to get a slice of �50,000 to support their running costs and projects.

The Evening News teamed up with Red Nose Day for this year's campaign to help deliver grants to those small organisations which are often seen as the life-blood of our local communities.

Festivals, theatre groups and organisations supporting the vulnerable are just a few of the applicants with their sights on individual grants of �500 to �1,000.

Tim Williams, editor of the Evening News, said: 'It is fantastic to see so many applications for this year's Community Cash initiative. Every day our team is meeting organisations for whom a grant like this would benefit the people they help. I am looking forward to seeing the difference these grants make when they are awarded to successful applicants in two weeks time.'

The money will benefit groups run by local people, with an income of less than �50,000 in the last year, who fall in the Norwich City Council local authority area, and are working within a disadvantaged or deprived community.

The successful applicants will be announced on Monday, April 18.

Jenny Bevan, grants officer Norfolk Community Foundation, said: 'Red Nose Day Community Cash has the potential to deliver real benefit to some of the most deprived areas of Norwich, and it's great to see that so many community groups and charities have taken up this opportunity.'

Are you raising money for a community project? Contact reporter Ben Woods on 01603 772439 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk