STUDENTS at the University of York are offering to help small local charities and residents’ groups with grants of up to £1,000 each from their fund-raising efforts.

The RAG (Raising And Giving) committee of the university’s student union will put ten per cent of all the money it raises into a community fund.

It is hoping the fund will reach £5,000 in the first year and to open applications for grants of between £200 and £1,000 next Spring. It is aiming the grants at small local charities and residents’ groups facing financial difficulties.

Current RAG Officers Becky Mursell and Erin Corke said: “The community fund will allow for the hard work of students at the University of York in fundraising for RAG to directly benefit the local community.”