THOUSANDS of pounds has been handed out to projects by a city council following a Dragons’ Den style competition.

The WINnovation awards in Winchester saw more than £13,500 given to local initiatives after a panel of ‘dragons’ heard pitches from seven voluntary and community groups.

The event, which was co-funded by Winchester City Council and Tent on the Green, with support from Community First Winchester, saw joint-winners Colden Common Shed received £3,250 to enable them to build a new shed as a base for their growing membership, and Naomi House and Jacksplace win £2,000 towards their 21st anniversary celebrations.

Adrian Kelly, from Colden Common Shed said: “We were looking for additional funds to enable us to build our new shed when we came across WINnovation. We were delighted when they asked us along to pitch together with a number of other worthy organisations and were very grateful to be awarded the funds.”

Paul Morgan, head of fundraising for Naomi House and Jacksplace, added: “Naomi House and Jack’s Place are extremely pleased to have been awarded a grant in the WINnovation funding event. The chance to hear about several local charities and pitch to the dragons was a delight. We also had offers of support from other presenters for Naomi House, which is really fantastic.”

Other winners included St Barnabas Church, St Paul’s Pre-School, Velo Club Venta, Integr8 Community and Dementia Friendly Hampshire.

City Cllr Steve Miller said: “WINnovation is a unique and innovative way in which to award money to our thriving local voluntary sector, who do an exceptional job of supporting our local residents.”