FOUR not-for-profit organisations will receive funding from a Cockermouth community fund.

Seven groups applied for grants from the Metalcraft Cockermouth Community Fund, which meets twice a year and donates a total of £500 each time.

The successful groups were: Cockermouth After School Scheme – which will spend the money on a new wooden shed, Cockermouth Titans (a hot water urn), Cockermouth Emergency Response Group (a projector) and Mary Platt Methodist Preschool (Makaton training).

The fund was set up by Stainless Metalcraft – a manufacturer of specialist intermediate level waste containers for Sellafield’s decommissioning process – earlier this year. It made its first donation of £500 to North Lakes Foodbank in March.

Sales manager Stephen Buttriss said: “While we took the decision to direct our first round of funding to a single source that could get help on the ground most quickly following the Covid-19 outbreak, we were keen to ensure this second round of funding was able to support several organisations who will have key roles to play in society as we move out of lockdown.

“The pandemic has highlighted the key role our childcare and sporting organisations have to play in both the physical and mental health of our communities.

“And we hope these donations will enable them to make an even greater impact as society slowly gets up and running again.”

Applications are open for the next round of funding (deadline September 30).

For more details go to: www.metalcraft.co.uk/communityfund.