YOUNG carers, vulnerable older people, new parents and youth groups across Fenland are among those who will benefit from � 220,000 funding from Roddons Housing Association this year. The money is part of Roddons commitment to invest �1 million over fiv

YOUNG carers, vulnerable older people, new parents and youth groups across Fenland are among those who will benefit from �220,000 funding from Roddons Housing Association this year.

The money is part of Roddons' commitment to invest �1 million over five years to enhance the community.

More than 50 voluntary organisations, charities and schools applied for money.

Thirty two projects were awarded funding ranging from under �1,000 to �56,000.

These include the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough YMCA which will run a two-year project targeted at young people at risk of becoming, or who are already, first-time offenders.

Jonathan Martin, CEO of the YMCA said: "We have been concerned about the level of support for young people in the Wisbech area and this money will enable more young people, struggling to deal with the difficult issues, to reach their full potential. We are confident it will have a lasting impact on lives."

Other recipients include the Red Cross which will be able to run a Care in the Home pilot project for vulnerable people and the Alzheimer's Society which will provide a counseling service for those with dementia and their carers.

Several Fenland schools will also benefit from funding and three village halls have been awarded money for refurbishments.

Pauline Ford, managing director of Roddons, said: "We are delighted that, once again, we have been able to fund such a diverse and exciting range of projects.

"A housing association is so much more than a provider of houses and many of these will improve the lives of our residents and the wider community and underlines our core purpose."

The full list of successful applicants is as follows:

• Drinksense (fund an adult outreach support worker in Fenland) - �20,000

• Alzheimer's Society, Fenland (provide counseling service for those with dementia and their carers) - �6,682

• Young People March (pay for two youth workers to work with young people on special issues) - �11,250

• Ormiston Trust (provide programme of support for young carers in Fenland) - �21,106

• British Red Cross (to run 'Care in the Home' pilot project for vulnerable people in Fenland) - �27,200

• Age Concern (project to provide practical support and advocacy for frail older people in Fenland) - �23,271 over 2 years

• YMCA (project aimed at those at risk of becoming, or who are, 'First Time Entrants' into Criminal Justice System in Fenland) - �56,000 over 2 years

• NCT (pay to train a volunteer to provide post-natal courses and drop-ins for new parents at Whittlesey Children's Centre) - �6110 over 2 years

• Fenland District Council (contribute to community grants scheme administered by five new Neighbourhood Management Boards) - �25,000

• Wisbech PHAB (physically handicapped and able-bodied) Club (towards purchase of new mini bus) - �5,000

• Newton Village Hall Management Committee (towards refurbishing and improving village hall) - �5,000

• Thorney Toll Village Hall Committee (install central heating in hall) - �4,120

• Whittlesey Junior Football Club (purchase six sets of goals for new playing area) - �3,000 Neale-Wade Community College, March (deliver programme of school holiday activities) - �3,000

• Fenland Arts (purchase music equipment for jam and band sessions) - �3,000

• Benwick Residents Association (help fund Dickensian Market in village) - �3,000

• Mums About Food (deliver bespoke 6-week cookery course to 3 Fenland primary schools) - �2,985

• Glebelands Primary School, Chatteris (provide horse-riding lessons for 9 pupils with complex special needs) - �2,600

• Home-Start, Fenland (refurbishment of play area at March office) - �2,478

• Manea Village Hall Committee (towards renewal of ceiling in hall) - �2,840

• Wisbech & Fenland Museum (towards consultant to devise strategy for future sustainability) - �2,630

• Friends of Westwood School, March (towards installation of adventure play trail) - �2,500 Waterlees Youth Group, Wisbech (deliver programme of summer holiday activities) - �2,450

• Cavalry Primary School, March (provide outdoor play area) - �2,290

• Oasis Centre, Wisbech (creation of community garden) - �2,900

• Girlguiding, Fenland (fund transport to 2 county celebration events) - �2,388

• Wisbech Youth Advisory Group (deliver programme of summer holiday activities) - �2,450

• Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum Trust, Wisbech (towards a photographic festival) - �2,750

• ABC Pre-school, Tydd St Giles (purchase indoor and outdoor games) - �1,951

• Friends of Victoria Lodge, Wisbech (provision and installation of overhead hoist) -

• �1,639 Fenland Arts (deliver programme of creative arts in rural communities) - �1,100

• Ivy Leaf Residents Association, March (organise 'generation gap' trip and workshop) - �828