April 12, 2001 9:06: WITH two National Lottery agencies announcing awards for the London area, Mike Addelman looked at who will benefit in Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

MORE than £1m of Lottery cash will help voluntary and community groups in south east London.

The Community Fund will provide the bulk, with the four boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham receiving £973,056 from the total £7.6m given out.

And Awards for All also announced a £122,000 cash bonus to 33 grass roots organisations in the region out of a total of £1.3m in London.

The Community Fund grants went to seven organisations in Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, bringing the total amount awarded since 1995 to £22m.

The Community Fund, which changed its name from the National Lottery Charities Board, distributes the money which has been raised by the Lottery to national and local charities and voluntary and community groups.

Money from the fund goes to a range of worthy causes, including supporting older people living on their own, refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities.

Community Fund London chairman Anne Page said: "We're delighted to make this first round of awards as the new-look Community Fund.

"We hope the money will make a difference to these people."

The Awards For All fund provides grants of between £500 and £5,000 to community based projects including the arts, sport and heritage groups.

The fund has awarded 3,000 grants to organisations across London since it was created two years ago.

The rough ride to mobility

IT HAS been a rough ride for Lewisham Shop Mobility Scheme, which almost went under in July last year until the council bailed it out with a £12,000 grant.

It helps disabled people of all ages with their shopping but the group's survival seemed to be precariously balanced.

But now the charity is looking forward to a brighter future with the help of the £157,506 grant over three years.

Project worker Jill Bennett said: "We are absolutely delighted with the help which will mean we will be able to open seven days a week. It means absolutely everything to us and we will be able to plan a long term future."

If want to know more about the scheme, call Jill Bennett on 020 8297 2735.

Community Fund grants

BEXLEY Voluntary Service Council was awarded £94,483. The money will pay for a new post, administration expenses, staff training and travel.

Bexley Women's Aid was awarded £185,314. The grant will pay for a full time director. Pabya Ltd Youth Action 2000 was awarded £16,371. The cash will pay for refurbishing a cottage in Yorkshire into an outdoor centre.

In Greenwich, Greenwich Housing Rights Ltd was awarded £125,617. The project will now recruit more volunteers to defend public sector tenants at County Court possession hearings.

Working with Words Ltd was awarded £195,049. The grant will pay for four new roles at the centre which provides work for people with learning difficulties.

Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency Limited was awarded £198,716. The grant will pay for office equipment, part fund the salaries of staff and general running expenses.

Lewisham's Lewisham Shop Mobility Scheme was awarded £157,506. The grant will cover expenses.