Fund to help communities opened by rail operator

Applications for the latest round of the fund close at midnight on 9 December

Community groups and charities in south-east England are being invited to apply for a community fund group which has been made available by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).

The UK's largest operator, which operates Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern services in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Greater London and other counties north of the capital, says the grant has already awarded £1.26m to various causes in the previous three years.

Applications are open for bids up to £50,000, although bids in excess of £10,000 must be discussed with GTR prior to the application.

One beneficiary has been the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership.

GTR says the partnership has reached 50 participants through its Cooking in the Community project, after a previous donation of £10,000.

Jo Glazebrook, Brighton Community Kitchen manager, said: "Thanks to the funding, participants are cooking more from scratch, eating more vegetables, wasting less food, and feeling happier and more connected to others."

Applications for the latest round of the fund close at midnight on 9 December.