SIX Cockermouth groups are the latest to benefit from a community fund set up last year.

The schools, sports clubs and groups were delighted to be selected in the latest round of grants from Metalcraft.

The fund was set up by Stainless Metalcraft – a manufacturer of specialist intermediate level waste containers for Sellafield’s decommissioning process – in February 2020 and made its first donation of £500 to North Lakes Foodbank the following month.

In the latest grants, there was a diverse range of recipients.

Metalcraft was delighted to finally be able to present the cheques in person and sales manager Stephen Buttriss did the honours.

He gave £330 to All Saints School Autism Support group, to spend on garden improvements.

The town's Civic Trust was presented with £95 to go towards anniversary leaflets.

Cockermouth Junior FC was received £200 for portable goals, while Mary Platt Pre-School received £110 for sign language training and £200 for oral health themed educational toys.

Cockermouth Emergency Response was given £100 to go towards a projector which will be used for training.

Highfield Community Association, which runs the Food Pantry, was pleased to receive £170 for shelving units and food.

Stephen said: “Since we set up the Metalcraft Cockermouth Community Fund in February 2020, we have been impressed by the variety and quality of the applications received and delighted that we have been able to support so many good causes in the local area.

“To date, 14 different organisations have been supported to the value of £3,500, with donations being made in cash and in kind.

"Our apprentices, in particular, enjoyed creating flood barrier storage boxes for the town and will shortly start work on a tree of remembrance for the Rotary Club.

“Having launched the fund just before the first Covid-19 lockdown, it was fantastic to be able to make this latest round of presentations in person."

Applications for the next round of funding close on December 31.

"We’d encourage any local not-for-profit community organisation that needs financial or practical assistance to achieve their goals in 2022 to apply," said Stephen.

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