ALMOST 20 community, sports and voluntary groups across Inverclyde are to share in a vital windfall of almost £25,000.

The organisations will benefit from the final round of the council's Community Grants Fund.

A total of £23,000 was left for the second round of funding, with priority given to groups which hadn’t applied before.

Members of the grants sub-committee met and agreed to hand out the remaining money to a total of 17 groups across Inverclyde.

Councillor Graeme Brooks, who chairs the council’s grants sub-committee, said: “I am delighted elected members on the grants sub-committee have been able to help so many community groups across Inverclyde and I thank all members for their diligence and hard work on this.

“This second round brings us to a total of 119 separate groups across Inverclyde who have received a funding boost.

“These community groups are vital and operate in many different areas across Inverclyde, helping a wide variety of people.”

Jennifer Freeman from Port Glasgow Otters, a swimming club for young people and adults with physical, learning or sensory processing needs, said their £1,900 grant would make a huge difference and help them offer a range of opportunities.

She said: “As a club that operates thanks to kind donations, this funding grant allows us to reach half of our yearly fundraising target to keep the club operational.

“We’ve already identified further training opportunities for our teachers and coaches to ensure we’re creating an environment where every swimmer can reach success.

“As part of this we’re endeavouring to create a circular economy with our adult members to provide them with training and pathways to employment.

“This wouldn’t be something we could have considered without the funding opportunities from Inverclyde Council.”

Another long-standing local group, Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Ltd, received £1,300 to enhance the education area within the show.

Show secretary Mandi Baxter said: “We have chosen the education area as it is the busiest part of the show, has the biggest impact on visitors and has had fantastic feedback.

“We were approached by several community groups/schools after the show to see if we could take the area to them as they thought it was brilliantly run, fascinating and a great educational experience.”

In Round 1, the grants sub-committee approved awards totalling £283,000 with 102 groups benefitting.

The Community Grants Fund combines the Grants to Voluntary Organisations (GTVO), Under-19s Sports and Community Hall Waivers funding pots.

The fund is now closed for this financial year and applications for the next round of funding will open in May.