A SPORTS club is hoping people will get behind their bid to get a share of funding.

Portland Gig Rowing Club is bidding to get a slice of cash from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative - but they need your help.

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant. Portland Gig Rowing Club is one of the groups on the shortlist.

The Club is raising funds to purchase a new boat trailer which will enable the safe transportation of their Cornish Pilot Gig boats and all associated rowing equipment to and from events.

Fundraising Officer, Helen Peach said: "One of the trailers we have and use was purchased second-hand from another club in 2012. This trailer had already had much use by its previous owners. It is now old and requiring constant maintenance to keep it roadworthy and fit for purpose, which is proving not only time consuming but expensive. We would like to purchase a new replacement trailer that will be fully road legal, fit for purpose and will be significantly lighter than our old trailer, making for easier towing. Gig trailers are made to order and have specific specifications to accommodate the 32ft Cornish Pilot Gig boats and cost in the region of £4000. A new trailer will also make it easier for those members that volunteer to tow our boats to and from events on a regular basis. We hope the community will support us by voting for us in the local Tesco stores."

Portland Gig Rowing Club is a community rowing club and a registered charity. Rowing is open to all members of the community over the age of 11. The sport of gig rowing is growing in popularity and it not only keeps you fit and healthy whilst enjoying the outdoors, but is also a great way of meeting new people.

For more information about the sport, or if you want to give it a go, visit www.portlandgigrowingclub.co.uk

Voting is open in all Tesco stores in Weymouth and Portland in March and April and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.