CASH grants to help projects – ranging from altering a disability minibus and adapting a building to helping fund a puppet workshop and paying for educational and camping equipment – have been pledged by The Craven Trust.

Eleven groups will receive a total of £8,802 from the trust, which supports projects throughout Craven and within the boundary of the old West Riding of Yorkshire.

Grants include £500 to Skipton's Fisher Medical Practice to support its health champion activities, £1,000 to fund playground equipment in Gargrave and a similar sum to the Skipton-based Principle Trust, which provides holidays for disadvantaged children and families.

Among the others receiving funding are St Joseph’s Community Centre in Barnoldswick and Wilsden Juniors AFC, who netted £1,000 each, plus £800 will go to Skipton & Craven Action for the Disabled, £750 to Bradford Life Education, £600 to Dent Memorial Hall, £532 to Skipton Puppet Festival, £500 to the Majestic Church in Barnoldswick and £120 to Dent Memorial Hall.

Roy Aldread, of Skipton & Craven Action for Disabled, said they were grateful to The Craven Trust for the grant, which would go towards fitting an extra seat in a nine-seater minibus.

"We've had to fit the other seat so it meets Government legislation relating to VAT. The bus was bought with lottery help in 2013," he added.

The total cost was about £1,500 and the majority of the balance of the money was being made up by Skipton Rotary.

The Craven Trust gave out £24,563 to 42 local groups last year alone, and will be donating more cash later in the year. The next deadline date for the autumn round of applications is September 18.

A trust spokesman said it recognised the need that existed in both the urban and rural areas of Craven.

The Craven Trust is a registered charity and was set up in 1995. People interested in applying for help should visit the Craven Trust website craventrust.org.uk and download an application form and guidelines.

Grants cannot be given to animal charities or students, for foreign travel, or to national or medical charities.