Lottery boost for groups

Two Donaghcloney groups, the Donaghcloney Cricket and Recreational Club and the Friends of Donaghcloney Royal British Legion, were given awards, with the Cricket Club receiving 9,350 and the the Friends of the Royal British Legion receiving 10,000.

The Drumellan Community Association, a group which aims to improve the lives of those in the community, also received 10,000 and plan to use the grant in a number of educational and recreational activities throughout the coming year.

Mind Wise New Vision, based in Union Street, a support group for those living with mental illness, was awarded 7,200. It has bases in Union Street.

A grant of 4,050 was awarded to POSTDEL, a programme which seeks to bring people of different cultural backgrounds together, who will use the award for for youth activities to foster better understanding and education.

Portadown ME (Post Viral Fatigue) Support Group plans to provide a respite break to Limavady, day trips and a Christmas dinner for its members with its 5,140 grant.

A total of 75 groups throughout Northern Ireland received a share of 611,560 from the Awards for All programme.

It offers community, voluntary and statutory groups the chance to apply for small grants of between 500 and 10,000 that will have a big impact on communities and the lives of people most in need.