Community groups and charities across Preston and surrounding boroughs will be awarded more than £100,000 this year from county councillors, to help them with their good work.
Small organisations which provide community, social or sporting activities are being encouraged to contact the county councillor for their ward, to see if they are eligible for grants of up to £1,250.
Among those to have already benefited from the
Local Grants Scheme is Preston Breathe Easy, a group for people with lung conditions.
The group organises gentle, weekly exercise sessions in Fulwood for its 20-plus members, who range in age from their 40s to 80s.
It also holds monthly social events, allowing members to get help and advice.
Breathe Easy used a £582 grant from Preston West councillor Norman Abram to buy five pocket nebulisers – devices used by asthma sufferers to help with breathing.
The mini-nebulisers are loaned out to members if they are going away on trips and find it hard to take larger equipment along.
Breathe Easy secretary Philip Helvin said the grant had been of great benefit to the group.
He said: "The nebulisers give our members a bit of freedom. If they are going away on holiday, it saves them taking all the usual rigmarole with them."
Each of the 83 county councillors has £1,250 a year to give away to good causes in their ward.
Amongst the groups to have benefited recently include Holy Cross High School in Chorley, which received £500 towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition.
Also Preston Muslim Forum got £1,000 for internet access and sports activities for a youth club.
Coun Norman Abram said: "There are a lot of charities struggling to survive.
"Some of our family suffer from allergic reactions and anyone with chest problems will know it can be very frightening."
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