Made on 20 April, this is three times the expected total of first round of grants.

Recipients include charities such as SWOP Cherry Tree Nursery, Lewis Manning Trust, Dorset Children’s Foundation, LOVECHURCH St Swithun’s and Macmillan Caring Locally.

Sir Christopher Lees, Chair of Talbot Village Trust, said, “We have been bowled over by the number of applications we received since launching the Fund, demonstrating just how much need there is in the community to weather this storm. We would urge any charity or organisation that is struggling to consider applying as soon as they can.”

Talbot Village Trust launched the £1 million Fund on 6 April. Since then, applications have been received from dozens of charities and community groups in need of financial support to continue to operate through the COVID-19 crisis period. Over 90% of applications were successful.

Talbot Village Trust Trustees, BCP Council Leader, Vikki Slade, and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, reviewed the applications and awarded grants. The second virtual meeting for the COVID-19 Support Fund will be attended by High Sheriff, George Streatfeild and MP for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns.

Applications for the second round can be made by charities and community groups in immediate need from across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, East Dorset and Purbeck until Monday 27 April. Applicants can apply for up to £50,000 of financial support. Priority will be given to organisations directly helping people, families and communities during the COVID-19 crisis. Each application will be considered on its own merits and organisations and charities can apply more than once if needed. No prior funding is required.

High Sherriff, George Streatfeild commented, “This initiative from Talbot Village Trust is exactly what is needed to help our local charities get through this crisis – funding that can be delivered quickly and based on those in most need. Support for our local communities is needed more than ever, and this sort of initiative can be a lifeline to charities and others doing good work during this crisis.”

MP for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns, added, “Charities contribute hugely to the social fabric of our community, so it is vitally important that we help them survive the current crisis. I am therefore delighted to see the first round of grants announced today by the Talbot Village Trust. By providing rapid financial support, and with a strong understanding of our community, the Trust is doing a fantastic job in helping both our local charities and the people that rely upon them.”

The Fund will provide revenue, core funding or capital and equipment requirements to enable the continued delivery of essential services by these local charities and community groups. The second deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 27 April. Applicants will be notified if they have been successful on Monday 4 May. Subsequent application timetables will be announced in due course.

Applications can be made using the form available to download on the Talbot Village Trust website. Questions can be sent to Covid19.fund@talbotvillagetrust.org.

Please go to https://www.talbotvillagetrust.org/covid-19-support-fund/ for more information on the application process.