Dudley MP Ian Austin has urged local groups to apply for funding from two new schemes.

The new £1.5 million Postcode Local Trust is funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and has opened a new round of applications for environmental projects. Groups in Dudley have until 5pm Friday 30 September to apply by visiting www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk.

Insurance firm Aviva has also launched a Community Fund that can award up to £25,000 for local community projects across a range of categories including supporting the elderly, health and wellbeing and community sport.

Last year Aviva had over 430 separate winner and is aiming to award over 800 grants this year. Information on how to apply is available here.

Austin has written to a number of community groups in Dudley to make them aware of the opportunities, and has offered to support local bids for funding.

Ian Austin said:

“Black Country people are the most generous in Britain, so we have lots of brilliant local community groups and charities in the area.

“Working with local groups we’ve managed to get funding for local sports clubs, schools and parks.

“Applying for one of these funds could help get a new project off the ground, so I’m ready to throw my support behind and local groups interested in making a bid.”