Twelve good causes received a share of more than £12,000 handed out from the first round of funding from the Robin Hood Lottery.

The Emily Harris Foundation, which supports the Neo Natal Unit at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, received £2,000 from the lottery’s community fund.

Cheques, ranging from £500 to £2,000, were also presented to the Bramble Academy, Children’s Bereavement Centre, Crossroads Care North Nottinghamshire, Destiny Cheer, Homestart Mansfield, Jerry Green Dog Rescue, Learning Ladder Childcare, National Autistic Society, NIDAS, Reach Learning Disability and SHE-UK.

The first tranche of bidding for money from the lottery fund was announced by the Mayor of Mansfield, Kate Allsop, in November.

Mansfield District Council established the lottery to bring additional funding to the community.

From every £1 lottery ticket sold, 60p goes to good causes and the remaining 40p into prize money and paying lottery organiser, Gatherwell.

Of the 60p for charities, 10p goes into the Robin Hood Lottery Community Fund and 50p is given to registered good causes nominated to benefit by individual lottery players. If players do not nominate any cause to benefit, then that 50p will also go into the community fund.

The Emily Harris Foundation supports the Neo Natal Unit at Kings Mill Hospital. They received £2,000 from the Robin Hood Lottery Community Fund.

Good causes can apply to the fund twice a year for up to £2,000 — the second round of funding is expected to be announced in May.

Charities and groups can also join the 78 registered good causes that have signed up to benefit from ticket sales at www.robinhoodlottery.co.uk

For more information on the community fund and how to apply, go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/robinhoodcommunityfund