VOLUNTARY and community organisations across East Lancashire will share almost £82,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. A total of 10 groups in Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale, Pendle and Burnley were among the lucky applicants to receive between £1,910 to £10,000 to carry out new projects.

Blackburn-based In Di Go Dedicated Care and Support Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit initiative won £10,000 to provide recreational and leisure activities for children who are disabled and isolated, and to improve community participation.

Its first grant since being established last year will also enable founder Diane Marie Price, who has worked voluntarily for the past year, to hire more staff and recruit volunteers.

She said: “It’s amazing to have won the funding because you never expect to win.

“It will make such a difference to the work myself, the other volunteers and support staff will be able to do in providing respite for both children with disabilities and their siblings.

“We have plans in place already to offer regular, short, half-day breaks for 15 people up to the age of 25 and are now looking to take on more volunteers and staff as a result.”

Meanwhile, as part of the Awards For All grants announced today, Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue were awarded £10,000 to replace 55 safety waterproof jackets.

Team member Mark Wakeman said: “The money is a long-term investment as these jackets will last us for 10 years and will help ensure that we continue to be able to respond to call-outs to help casualties in all weather.”

Other winners included fibromyalgia awareness group Fibro Friends Accrington, Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, Bank Street Community Association, Park View Friendship Club, Burnley Gymnastics Club, Brierfield Action in the Community, Peoples' Enterprise and Empowerment Forum and Home-Start Pendle and Ribble Valley.

Big Lottery Fund spokeswoman Helen Bullough said: “We are very pleased to make the Awards For All grants.

“All of the small grants made today will make a huge difference to hundreds of lives across the region.”