SKILLS training schemes and schools projects in Furness and south Cumbria are sharing a funding pot of almost £35,000 to benefit young people.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded £34,861 to four projects working with young people, distributing money raised by National Lottery players back into communities.

Cowran Training, Pennington, has received £9,951 to deliver agriculture and traditional outdoor learning activities for local young people. It will help them achieve accredited awards to improve their further education and employment opportunities.

Anne Diss, director of Training for Cowran Training Limited said: “We are delighted to have been awarded National Lottery funding for our new ‘Along the Road’ project. This will enable us to support many more young people who need alternative training routes into further or higher education and employment. The funding will help young people to become resilient, skilled and motivated ‘along the road’ into training, volunteering, and employment and enjoy an improved quality of life.”

Barrow charity Project John Limited, a supporting housing project for young people aged 16 to 25, has received £4,995 from The Big Lottery Fund. This funding is to provide day trips and workshops for local young people to give them the opportunity to come together to enjoy fun activities, make new friends and learn new skills. The charity has said it is very grateful for the funding.

Ireleth St Peter's CE Primary School has received £9,955 to develop their playground facilities with a climbing wall, goal target, picnic tables, and soft surfacing to enhance the physical, social and communication skills of children through imaginative play.

Rachael McFarlane, headteacher of Ireleth St Peter's CE Primary School said: "We are thrilled to have received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The grant will enable us to transform our main playground into an inviting and safe place for our children to play."

Penny Bridge CE Academy has received £10,000 to fund new fitness play equipment to be used as a social space for school and the wider community. The school community has said it is delighted to have received the funding.

James Harcourt, England Grant Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund said: “We are proud to give National Lottery money to local projects that make a difference in their communities. Whether £500 or £500,000, our funding is used to run amazing projects led by local people. When you hear about projects like these you realise the incredible impact the money generated by National Lottery players has had on communities across England. It really is life changing.”

Across England a total of 1,386 projects were awarded £40,197,382 of National Lottery funding this month.

The Big Lottery Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It is responsible for giving out 40 per cent of the money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Last year it awarded more than £700 million and supported more than 13,000 projects.