DORSET community groups are being encouraged to grab a share of a £1million community fund.

Community groups across Dorset are being urged to apply for grants from a £1m fund set up to help towns and villages be better prepared for emergency situations and extreme weather events.

Parish councils and community action groups have already benefited from donations of more than £150,000 from Southern Electric Power Distribution, the company that looks after the electricity network across central southern England. The energy company is now seeking applications for causes that will benefit communities large and small. The deadline for this round of funding is September 25. Almost £60,000 has been handed out to organisations in Dorset, with Wessex Flood Rescue Unit securing funds for a new motorised rescue boat and associated training for its members.

Stuart Hogarth, Director of Distribution for Southern Electric Power Distribution, is urging more groups to come forward and claim a share of the cash. He said: “We had a great selection of applications for our initial round of grants with groups requesting small sums to buy first aid kits and two-way radios, up to thousands of pounds for emergency generators and upgrading kitchen appliances in community buildings. In one area we even pledged £20,000 of seed funding for a £2.5m flood defence scheme.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to help so many local communities to deal with potential emergency situations caused by extreme weather events and I hope many more groups will apply in our second round, having now seen the types of projects we can support.”

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations across central southern England can apply for grants of between £500 and £20,000. For more information on application criteria, visit ssepd.co.uk/resiliencefund.