Groups and good causes can apply to Mansfield District Council in a new round of funding awards from the Mayor’s 500 Fund and Robin Hood Community Fund — part of the Robin Hood Lottery.

The deadline for bids is 4pm on Friday, 17th December and successful awards will be announced in the new year.

There is £11,000 available in the lottery fund and bids of up to £2,000 will be considered to support either day-to-day spending or one-off capital projects by good causes in Mansfield.

From each Robin Hood Lottery ticket bought 10p goes to the community fund. A further 50p is added if the player does not choose a specific good cause to support.

The Mayor’s 500 Fund is a direct contribution from Mayor Andy Abraham’s allowance, providing a cash injection of up to £500 for local groups, individuals and volunteers to deliver a specific project in the Mansfield community. A total of £5,000 is available in this round of funding.

The money can be used for equipment, promotions and materials to deliver direct benefits to local residents.

The mayor said: “I try to offer a helping hand to a variety of causes — some may be new ventures and others more established. I am especially keen to help groups that help vulnerable members of their communities and offer affordable activities for young people to have fun and express themselves.

“I am always overwhelmed by the number of applications received. Those which I cannot help, I try to direct to other sources of funding or consider them in the next round of the 500 Fund applications.”

More information and an application form for the Mayor’s 500 Fund can be found at www.mansfield.gov.uk/mayors500fund. To apply to the Robin Hood Lottery Community Fund, see www.mansfield.gov.uk/robinhoodcommunityfund.

To play the Lottery visit www.robinhoodlottery.co.uk. A draw is made weekly with a top prize of up to £25,000.