THE purchase of kayaks and provision of IT equipment are some of the projects funded under the latest round of Awards for All grants.

High Moorland Community Action, based at Wesley House, Princetown, has been awarded £4,940 towards its project to provide IT equipment suited to people with disabilities, together with training for volunteers.

Jenny Coleman, of the management team, said the money would be used to buy a height-adjustable table to give easier access for those in wheelchairs, two laptop computers — one for use with the table, the other for use in visiting those in rural areas — and to install a panic alarm in the disabled toilet.

'In addition, £1,400 will be used to train volunteers, mainly in computer work. We want to support the Open Access IT training scheme ourselves as we cannot afford a full-time tutor, and this will also keep costs down for students,' Ms Coleman said.

Walkhampton Memorial Hall management committee has been awarded £2,482 to purchase portable staging for the hall. Committee member Michael D'Oyly, who said the award was 'excellent', said there had been a disaster at the hall last Christmas.

'We had a burst pipe and had to replace the ceiling, lighting and floor in the main hall, and carry out similar work in the committee room, lobby and kitchen. We also lost our nine-inch platform stage, so thought it a good idea to try for this grant.'

It is hoped that the new staging will be in place in time for the local school play in June.

Whitchurch Wayfarers Cricket Club secretary Chris Meadows said they were 'very pleased' with their grant of £3,997 to purchase coaching equipment which would be 'of major benefit'.

'We have approximately 90 Colts registered with us from 9s to under 17s and it became apparent several things would be useful for their training,' he said.

The money will provide a bowling machine, a catching cradle and a portable net, and funding will be available to send people on coaching courses and cover the hire of indoor nets in winter.

Mr Meadows said the new facilities should also be 'of large benefit' to the ladies' team, which is in its second year.

Other organisations in the Tavistock area to gain awards are the Tavistock and District committee of the Duke of Edinburgh Award with £3,478 to cover the costs of new equipment and resources and training and travel costs for young people on the scheme, and Tavistock and District Outdoor Education Forum — £4,896 to purchase kayaks to undertake canoeing trips.

In East Cornwall, St Dominick Under 5s and Stoke Climsland Parish Archive have been awarded sizeable grants.

Jan Bytheway from the St Dominick Under 5s said their £4,500 award would be used to buy new play equipment.

'The existing equipment is old and worn out and we are going to completely replace it — we're going on a big spending spree,' she said.

The group has been in existence for around 25 years and caters for babies a few weeks old to children aged 4.

Equipment to be purchased will include slides, sandpits, water play areas, easels and safety equipment.

The Stoke Climsland Parish Archive will be using its £5,000 to employ a computer operator and pay volunteer expenses to index the archive on computer.

Applications are invited for the Lottery grants from projects which involve people in their local community, extend access and participation, increase skills and creativity and improve the quality of life.

Groups need to be 'not for profit', have a constitution or set of rules and a bank account, and be able to spend the grant within 12 months.

For more details contact 0845 600 2040 or visit http://www.awardsforall.org.uk">www.awardsforall.org.uk