CLUBS and community groups across Hailsham are to share in a grant windfall of £8,500.
Hailsham Bonfire Society, local brownies and scouts group, the local air cadets and the town's football, tennis and cricket clubs are among the 21 organisations to benefit.
Hailsham Community Hall takes the largest slice, being awarded £1,500 to ref
urbish the men's toilets.
The cash-strapped bonfire society has been given £1,000, while £500 has been awarded to Hailsham United Junior Football Club and East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS), which is based near Chiddingly.
Trevor Weeks, founder of WRAS, told the Gazette, "Hailsham is where I started doing my rescue work so to be recognised by the council as being a worthy cause is quite something. It is really quite heartwarming."
Hailsham Air Training Corps 249 squadron and the local branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) have been given grants of £500 and £300 respectively.
Reg Holdstock, chairman of both the 249 squadron and Hailsham RAFA, said, "The money given to RAFA goes to our welfare department, which visits club members who are sick and helps those who have fallen on hard times.
"We're very lucky in that the town council has always supported the work of both the Air Training Corps and RAFA."
The 2nd Hailsham Brownies and 2nd Hailsham Scouts have been awarded £450, while Hailsham Tennis Club, Hailsham Town FC and Hailsham and District Twinning Association all pocketed £400.
Hailsham Old Pavilion Society and Hailsham Cricket Club have both been given grants of £350, the Royal British Legion has been given £300, while £200 has been awarded to Diplocks Community Trust, Hustlers Skater Hockey Club, Hailsham Sports Alliance and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
Hailsham Foyer YMCA, CATS (Hailsham Theatres) and Wealden Gingerbread each scoop £100.
Councillor Nick Ellwood, chairman of the town council's finance, policy and resources committee, said, "We appreciate the valuable contribution made by many of Hailsham's voluntary and community groups.
"Small grants can make a significant difference to them when planning and funding a worthwhile project.
"We welcome applications from the voluntary sector and wish to support their work wherever we can."
Town clerk Liz Jones added, "I'm delighted we have been given the opportunity to award these 21 organisations with the necessary funds and I look forward to seeing their project proposals and initiatives come to fruition."
• Local community and voluntary groups which involve Hailsham residents can apply to the town council for small grants. The deadline for the 2010/11 wave of grant aid applications is the end of November.
