Coronavirus: Melton area voluntary groups given cash lifelines

The donations came from the £1.5M Communities Fund set aside by Leicestershire County Council in response to the pandemic.

More than 200 organisations applied for a share and the second round of the fund will see £430,000 from the pot awarded to 50 projects.

Among them are Melton Learning Hub and the town’s Oasis Pre-School and Retreat.

Donations were also made to the Matt Hampson Foundation, which runs its Get Busy Living Centre for rehabilitation at Burrough on the Hill.

Shop Mobility Melton Mowbray and Leicestershire and Rutland 4x4 Response, which carries out some of its community support work in the Melton area, have also received money from the fund.

Scalford Triangle Community Group and Age Concern Syston were also recipients of cash.

The Melton Learning Hub, a diverse charity supporting young people, older people and the vulnerable, is set to receive £17,500 to help continue supporting those in need.

Sarah Cox, manager at the hub, said: “We are over the moon with the grant we have received.

“It not only means our regular services can continue, but we can also run a foodbank across Melton ensuring nobody in our community goes hungry during this unprecedented time.”

Nick Rushton, leader at County Hall, said: “The response we have had to the Communities Fund has been nothing short of remarkable.

“The applications we have received exceed £3million – double the pot available – and so far we have awarded a total of £990,000 to volunteers and groups to keep communities thriving in these challenging times.

“These awards will help groups to continue their crucial work and step up activities to support vulnerable people and those isolating. This fund enables people to stay safe by staying at home.”