Good causes are being invited to submit their bids for a slice of funding thanks to a popular running event.

The Dorchester Marathon was held for the first time last year and around 1,500 people from all over the UK took part in the full and half distance races.

The event was so popular that both races were put forward in the best newcomer categories of the 2018 Running Awards.

Now, organisers Casterbridge Rotary Club want to give something back to the community.

They want to hear from groups based in Dorchester and the surrounding villages who can demonstrate a benefit to the community from their existing activities and show a need and added benefit as a result of the grant.

Club president Les Fry said: “We were delighted with the support and participation from the community in the 2017 Marathon. It was a huge achievement at all levels consequently we are now in the happy position of being able to make grants of up to £500 each back into the community.”

Tim Stiles, who is part of the team of Rotarians overseeing the grant process added, “The Club will be making these grants within the next couple of months and we are excited at the prospect of dispersing a significant amount of the money raised so soon after the 2017 Marathon. Dorchester folk once again got behind us last May, now it’s our turn to get behind them.”

The event raised £13,000 overall and John Adams, who came up with the idea for the event and organised it last year, was presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship in December, the highest honour given to Rotarians, or, occasionally, non-Rotarians, for exemplary service.

Dorchester Marathon is set to return on May 27 this year.

An application form can be downloaded at www.casterbridgerotary.org.uk

For more details go to the website or telephone Rotary Marathon Small Grants Committee on 07939 630212 or email SmallGrants@CasterbridgeRotary.co.uk