MILLIONS of pounds have come to South Cumbrian projects and charities in the past 25 years from the National Lottery and one dealing with historic photographs is about to start its next phase.

Today’s pictures from The Mail archive feature just a few of the groups which have received grants over the years.

The Signal Films heritage project - called Seeing the North with Sankey - is based on pictures taken over a 70-year period by a Barrow photography firm run by father and son Edward and Raymond Sankey.

Volunteers are now being sought by the two-year scheme to describe, catalogue and explore thousands of digitised photographs, postcard books and catalogues.

There is an introduction to the project, with tea and cake, and a chance to see a selection of newly digitised images from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesday, January 28, at Cooke’s Studio, on Abbey Road, Barrow.

A series of workshops will begin on Tuesday, February 4, from 1.30pm to 4pm.

You can see the full programme of events and workshops at https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/PH9kCVADDHD4P5kfGWhrI or call project manager Julia Parks on 01229 838592.

One of the biggest cash boosts came in July 2002 when the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed a £1,545,000 grant towards the restoration of the Barrow Public Park

In August 2002 Muriel Bland and John Callow accepted £3,000 on behalf of Furness Family History Society from the National Lottery's Awards For All programme.

In 1997 the Sports Lottery Fund donated two thirds of the £21,000 cost of a new Land Rover ambulance for Furness Mountain Rescue Team, to be based at its Ulverston depot.

Hill Village Hall, near Millom, received a £3,445 lottery grant in May 1999 for redecorating and to purchase new tables, chairs and curtains.

In July 1999, Dalton Age Concern was presented with a £5,000  lottery grant for the refurbishment of its Chapel Street premises.

In November the same year, Dalton District Guide Association got £4,602 to buy a new kitchen, TV and video for educational use, a photocopier, a sink and heater for the toilets and a large mess tent for when they go camping.

The Barrow-based Thrift Charitable Trust, which specialises in welfare, benefits and advocacy, received grants of £5,000 from the lottery and £3,000 from Comic Relief in July 2000.