Local charities have been given a cash boost as the Government offers support to a wide range of voluntary sector organisations ranging from transport organisations to community shops.

And West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin welcomed awards totaling £129,000 which will help organisations continue their vital work in the middle of a global pandemic.

Harriett was asked to submit details of local good causes in the summer and charities like Malvern and District Community Action secured £25,000 of funding to help continue its vital volunteer driving support.

And special needs charity Whatever Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful has been given £16,500 from the national fund announced by the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport this week.

More than a dozen local groups in West Worcestershire have been given cash awards, as well as arts and heritage organisations which were supported earlier in the month.

Over 8,000 charities received a share of £200 million and the Government has allocated a further £550 million to ensure that voluntary bodies and social enterprises are able to keep working through the Covid-19 crisis.

Harriett said: “I’ve kept in close touch with a wide range of charities and community groups that have been doing an amazing job during the pandemic and I am pleased that the Government has been able to make some really sizeable awards to local groups.

“The voluntary sector has played a vital role in our local response to Covid-19 and it is essential that it is supported to be able to keep operating in these challenging conditions.”