A scheme which awarded over £8,000 to a food bank in Coalville has been boosted by a further £600,000.

Leicestershire County Council's Communities Fund was launched in March to ensure that community-based organisations could continue to carry out vital work, despite the impact coronavirus is having on their finances.

To date, the fund has awarded over £1.5million to 220 projects across Leicestershire - and the current boost will bring the total to more than £2million.

That included Feed the Need in Coalville, which was awarded £8,300 to help deliver daily food parcels to those who needed them.

Leader of Leicestershire County Council, Nick Rushton, is hoping this next round will have a similar uptake, and said: "The response to our Communities Fund has been phenomenal and we are proud to be able to support more charities and community groups with an extra £600k in this third round.

"The Communities Fund will ensure the valuable work of these organisations can keep communities thriving and support vulnerable people in these challenging times."

Cllr Louise Richardson, cabinet member for communities, added: "It's never been more important for communities to band together and support each other. I urge every community group to look into whether they could benefit from this fund.

"This fund enables people to stay safe by staying at home and ultimately, saves lives. I'd like to thank our community groups, their staff and their volunteers for their fantastic work, and I would encourage them to visit the website to find out more about how they can apply for funding."

Find out more about the fund and how to apply by visiting: Communities Fund Round Three

Round three will have an additional focus on supporting community groups who are providing a vital service to local people during the pandemic, including:

• support for people who are described as clinically extremely vulnerable
• the provision of welfare and associated support for vulnerable and disadvantaged people and families, including money/debt advice services; employment related support; food bank and associated food provisions; and access to other essential supplies and equipment
• support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people affected by the pandemic, including projects which reduce isolation and loneliness.

The deadline for applications is January 22, 2021.