KIRKLEES Council has £800,000 to give away to community groups before December.

The council is urging groups to apply for funding from its Neighbourhood Renewal People’s Purse grants scheme.

The scheme is a rolling programme and applications for support can be made throughout the year. Funding bids are looked at every six weeks by local steering groups.

But the People’s Purse has £800,000 that needs be given out by the end of the year.

Clr Liz Smaje, Kirklees Council cabinet member for Neighbourhood Renewal, said: “I would urge groups to contact the funding team to find out if they are eligible to apply for the grants on offer.”

The People’s Purse has already handed out £334,896 in grants since January.

Groups that benefited include Almondbury South Tenants and Residents Association, which received £4,855 to replace tables and chairs and buy IT equipment for its Aldonley Pop-In Centre.

The Linden Playgroup at Birkby received £2,450 to create an all-weather outdoor play area, with wildlife area and fruit and vegetable patches. Waterproof suits were also bought so that children could play outside in the rain.

The Pakistani Youth Forum got £4,944 to set up an internet cafe and Huddersfield Dartmouth Division (Newsome) Girl Guides received £306 for a die machine to enable them to make their own clothes.

Any group interested in applying for a grant should contact the People’s Purse funding team on 01484 414824.