DISADVANTAGED people around East Cambridgeshire have been given a boost, after grants totalling almost �3,500 have been awarded to four organisations around the district.

Stroke survivors, young carers, disadvantaged youngsters and the elderly will benefit from the cash handed out by East Cambridgeshire District Council this month.

Pos+Ability, is a local charity which helps to provide chair based exercises for people with long-term neurological conditions to improve balance, co-ordination and memory skills. The project, which is set to receive �1,000, ensures stroke survivors get improved social contact and also providing much needed respite for carers.

Centre 33 is to get �847 to fund two respite day trips for ten disadvantaged young carers aged eight to 18. The charity will use the money to help those carers who are socially isolated and financially deprived.

The K9 Project will receive a grant of �990 to help improve the life chances of disadvantaged children and young people by working alongside dogs. This involves providing education, training and personal development opportunities.

Mepal Friendship Club will get �600 to provide weekly activities to help older people living in the village. The club helps to reduce rural isolation and depression.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of the Community and Environment Sub-Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Over many years of being a councillor, I have had the good fortune to be involved in many projects and programmes which have helped local people. In all this time, I don’t think there has been many worthy recipients of funding than the four projects we have helped this month.

“Each project is supporting a group in society which is too often ignored or forgotten as people concentrate things which are perceived to be more important. It is quite humbling to know that the money we have given in grants will make such a different to the young, old and people with disabilities. I know all the Members of the Committee will follow these projects with interest and we look forward to hearing about the difference this money has made.”

For more information on the East Cambridgeshire Community Fund Grant Scheme please call 01353 665555.