TWO Bury community groups are celebrating after receiving thousands of pounds worth of grants.

Special Olympics Bury received £9,960, and New Springs Community Project Group was given £3,650 from the Big Lottery Fund.

The organisations are just two of the 109 groups who have benefited from the Awards For All grants scheme, which distributes funding of up to £10,000 to projects that can help make a difference to people’s lives.

Special Olympics Bury is a voluntary organisation which aims to help disabled people participate in sport.

The group works in partnership with Jigsaw, and will use the funding to help deliver activities for disabled people, including yoga, aerobics and swimming, to encourage them to participate in physical exercise and improve their health.

Paul McCormick, Special Olympics sports co-ordinator, said: “If you look at the statistics, disabled people have a lower uptake rate of getting involved in sport and exercising.

“Hopefully this will help us to try and redress the balance and create opportunities. There is also a social benefit to exercise, getting to meet new people and making new friends.”

New Springs Community Group, which is based in Redvales Children’s Centre in Dorset Drive, provides events and activities for residents on the Springs Estate.

They will use the cash to continue their fortnightly luncheon group for older people, which helps them to socialise on a regular basis, helping to reduce isolation.

Anne Clayton, community development manager at New Springs Community Group which runs the club, says the funding will help it to expand and offer more events, such as guests speakers offering health advice.

She said: “A lot of the older residents on the estate live right on the edge of the area and they tend to get isolated, so the group helps them to get out and meet people.”

Helen Bullough, spokeswoman for the Big Lottery Fund, added: “All of the small grants made will make a huge difference to hundreds of lives across the region.”

For more information about Special Olympics Bury: call Paul McCormick on 0161 253 6308.

For the New Springs Community Group: call Anne Clayton on 0796 040 2368.