TEN groups which help improve the lives of people in the Sedgemoor area have scooped the jackpot to continue to provide vital projects.

They will share in £73,000 of National Lottery funding which was awarded at a Dragon’s Den-style event in Burnham-on-Sea recently.

A total of 15 Sedgemoor-based groups pitched their projects to a panel of judges on Tuesday, January 30, and more than 200 residents voted for their favourites to secure funding.

After fierce competition, 10 groups were handed more than £73,000 at the event held at The Princess Theatre, which was organised by Spark and The Big Lottery Fund.

The winning groups were Burnham and Highbridge Men’s Shed, Hillview Carnival Club, In Charley’s Memory, Hands of Change, Somerset Time For Youth, Sedgemoor Play Day, Cheddar Community Partnership, Towards Tomorrow Together, Bridgwater Parent’s Support Group, and Ups and Downs.

Lisa Prout, from Somerset Time For Youth, which offers social and leisure activities for young people with special needs, said the group was ‘thrilled’ after winning £10,000.

“We are over the moon at this news. This will make such a difference for our group, helping us to buy a minibus to transport young people with special needs across the Burnham-on-Sea area, ” Lisa said.

Hands of Change also won £10,000 which will also go towards a new mini bus.

In Charley’s Memory also took £10,000, This money will be spent on providing mental health support to young people.

A spokesman for In Charley’s Memory said: “Congratulations to everyone involved and a massive thank you to those that voted for us.

“We are really chuffed to have received £10,00 – this is such a huge boost and will help us continue to provide mental health support and services in the Burnham area.”

Jemma Coles, voluntary sector adviser at Spark, praised the groups for their ‘dedication’ and ‘passion’.

“We couldn’t have been more proud of the groups that took part in the event,” Jemma said.

“They spoke about their organisations with passion and that was clearly felt by the audience.

“They were a wonderful representation of some of the amazing work that takes place in the area and it was so lovely to see this recognised.

“The response from the community since the event has been overwhelming, with many other groups requesting support from Spark.

“This was such a worthwhile event that we were very pleased to be a small part of.”