There’s still time to apply for a share of £105,000 community pot - as more than 65 groups have already put their names forward

Norfolk SEN Network. Left to right, Annie Neri, Paul Coleman, Clare Chaplin, Pat Brickley (chairman) and Raffaella Ouchai. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

This newspaper has again teamed up with Comic Relief and the Norfolk and Suffolk Community Foundations, to give deserving groups across the region a chance to get involved and bid for a share of the pot, known as Community Cash.

After raising £73,026,234 nationally on Red Nose Day last month, Comic Relief announced £60,000 would be available to support local community projects across Norfolk. In Suffolk, there is £45,000 on offer.

Community Cash grants of between £500 and £1,000 have helped with everything from purchasing new equipment to facilitating fun days out in the last few years,

Distributed by Comic Relief - with help from this newspaper - they have been the lifeblood of many groups which would struggle without this help.

Black Dog Music Project at Earth Studios. Project members in the studio. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

But time is running out to apply for this year and groups have just two weeks left to get their applications in. In Norfolk, more than 30 groups have already applied, with 37 applications received so far in Suffolk.

Over the past few weeks, this newspaper has featured projects which have gained funding in the past:

• Charity grant means low-cost 4Cs counselling group can expand their service• Money raised for Comic Relief is having an impact on Norwich's nightlife• 'A divorce would be easier to go through, and probably cheaper!' - Charity's 30 years of helping parents of children with special educational needs• Charity grant helped group to continue to raise a song and a smile• A little money goes a long way for Norwich social group• 'It's all about getting people out of those four walls' at Norwich music project• 'It was the first time anyone actually listened to what I had to say' - women praise Norfolk charity which helped them cope with pregnancy loss• Mile Cross children's group helped by charity grant• Mental health art group can continue exhibitions thanks to charity grantGraham Tuttle from Norfolk Community Foundation, said: 'These small grants really do transform the fortunes of the local organisations they benefit. There are so many groups in Norfolk which are a vital resource for the community and do a massive amount on very little money. 'These new Comic Relief Community Cash grants will provide a welcome boost.'

Gilly Green, head of UK grants at Comic Relief said, 'The Comic Relief Community Cash initiative is extremely important to Comic Relief and enables us to help more than a thousand smaller projects all across the UK. 'The grants can be used for a wide variety of needs, from equipment for disability sports clubs, to activities bringing communities together, to specialist training for volunteers providing essential support.

'We encourage any community group or project who are in need of some extra funding to apply for the grant.'

For full details or to apply click here for Norfolk, or click here for Suffolk. The deadline is 5pm, May 5.