COMMUNITY projects across the country are being urged to apply for a share of more than £4m of funding raised by the People’s Postcode Lottery before applications close on August 28.

Charities and community groups are eligible to apply for grants of between £500 and £20,000, They will be allocated through one of three trusts that support different projects:

• Projects that focus on the prevention of poverty, promotion of human rights, equal rights and conflict resolution for some of society’s most vulnerable groups.

• Projects that support wildlife, sustainability, play areas and green spaces.

• Projects that focus on grass-roots sports, arts, recreation and healthy living programmes.

More than 400 projects were awarded grants in the last funding round. Ranging from sports clubs, to mental health groups, to wildlife conservation charities, this is seen as a fantastic opportunity for groups to access funding to make a difference in the local community.

As a charity lottery, a minimum of 30 per cent of money from tickets goes directly to charities. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £221.2m to date for 3,000-plus good causes in Great Britain and abroad.

For more information on how to apply for funding, visit the Trusts’ websites: www.postcodetrust.org.uk, www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk and www.postcodecommunitytrust.org.uk