Today the Daily Echo joins forces with Sport Relief’s Community Cash to give away £50,000 to good causes across Hampshire.

We are giving away the cash that is raised in the county through this year’s Sport Relief Games.

That means money raised locally by the event on March 21 to 23 will be put back into worthwhile causes in this area through the Daily Echo and Sport Relief Community Cash link up.

The Sport Relief Community Cash fund is making money available to local projects in grants of £500 to £1,000 to help keep the great work going. And now we are asking groups to come foward to apply for a share of the cash.

Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games is a nationwide fundraiser when the country will slip on their trainers, oil up their bikes and put on their swimming costumes to raise funds for charity through runs, sponsored cycles and swimathons.

Among those appealing for people to take part in the event is pop star Leigh-Anne Pinock from chart-topping girl band Little Mix. The singer, who will be recording this year’s Sport Relief single with other celebrities and sports stars, said: “We just got back from Liberia where we visited a project that’s been helped with money raised for Sport Relief. “It was shocking to see how tough people’s lives are in the slums there, but knowing how the money raised really does help change lives was inspiring and that’s why I hope everyone gets involved, signs up to the Games and does their bit this year.”

There are running and swimming events in Southampton, Winchester and the New Forest as the county tries to add to the £2.5 million it has already raised through Sport Relief, which has helped fund more than 270 projects across the region.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, will be helping distribute the money and are taking applications now. You can apply by going to hantscf.org.uk.

Toni Shaw, CEO of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sport Relief and the Daily Echo on this very important local grant programme that targets small local charities and voluntary groups working on the frontline in our communities. “I would encourage all groups who meet the criteria to put in an application, we are always happy to see new groups coming forward for funding.”

HIWCF is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to feeding donations to local causes and charities and will be helping the Daily Echo to hand out the grants.

HOW TO APPLY

Sport Relief Community Cash grants of £500-£1,000 are available to small organisations that are doing great work to help local people in the community. To apply for a grant visit: hantscf.org.uk

GET INVOLVED

For more of Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, go to sportrelief.com Sport Relief Headband available from all Sainsbury’s stores from February 19, participating Oxfam shops from February 17 and sportrelief.com Official T-shirts from Sainsbury’s stores are available from January 22.

WHERE TO TAKE PART

RUN:

Winchester Mile

West Meon

Romsey

Botley

SWIM:

Winchester – River Park Leisure Centre

Eastleigh – Fleming Park Leisure Centre

Basingstoke - Aquadrome and Sports Centre

CYCLE:

London

Find out more: my.sportrelief.com/search/event