Cash windfall is music to our ears!

Among those in the money is the Rowntree Musical Theatre, in York, which has scooped £4,000 from the Awards for All foundation.

The group encourages people of all ages to learn skills in amateur musical theatre and stages regular performances for the local community. Theatre groups will put the award towards producing the next performance in June.

Five other groups also had cause to celebrate in a £20,372 hand out. In York, the Disability Advice Association received £4,815 to help people with disabilities assist and advise businesses and organisations of the current access laws.

The Selby Fuller Life Association are £4,600 better off thanks to Awards for All. The group provides meetings, health talks and social activities for people living in the town.

The cash will go towards an open day to help celebrate a member's 100th birthday and will raise awareness about membership of the group.

Juniors looking to improve their badminton skills will now have the chance thanks to a £2,457 grant to the Pickering Badminton Club.

The cash will be used by club chiefs to establish and maintain a junior section - purchasing the relevant equipment and providing coaching for youngsters.

Finally in Scarborough, the Eastfield Community Association scooped £4,000 to help make repairs to the roof of the building and £500 was also given to the Scarborough Childminders' Group to help it make a float for the town carnival.

Frances Wardley, senior awards officer, said: "Many of the groups that apply to us have never received lottery funding before.

"Awards for All is undoubtedly the easiest and most accessible way for local groups to get hold of this type of money.

"The application form is quick and easy and groups can expect a decision three months after submitting a complete form."

For an application pack, telephone 0845 600 2040 or visit www.awardsforall.org.uk

Updated: 09:26 Thursday, April 24, 2003