TWO organisations have teamed up to offer a £25,000 cash boost to help support vulnerable groups in Somerset.

The funds from Magnox and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have been granted to the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal to help support the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

The funds will be administered by the Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), and ring-fenced for people living in Sedgemoor.

The money will be used to support projects such as food banks, activity and play-packs for disadvantaged children and young people, and to support the health and well-being needs of vulnerable people most affected by the crisis across the region.

Gwen Parry-Jones, chief executive of Magnox, said: “Many community groups are carrying out positive work, supporting the most vulnerable in their areas.

"This work is vital, and a key part of Magnox’s response to COVID-19 is to help other organisations deal with the pandemic wherever we can.

“In this time of national crisis, Magnox has agreed with the NDA that we should make available up to £25,000 at each site from the Magnox Socio-economic scheme for use by local community groups on COVID-19 related activities.

"Magnox is committed to assisting the communities surrounding our sites, as our communities have supported us for over 50 years, and we hope this funding will go some way to supporting the essential work being delivered.”

SCF recently launched the next phase of their Somerset Coronavirus Appeal in a bid to raise £1.5m for communities across the Somerset.

Teresa Harvey, assistant director for Housing, Health and Wellbeing at Sedgemoor District Council, said: “This is a fantastic gesture from Magnox and we are very grateful indeed.

"The funding will help support some of the amazing work that has been going on over the past three months in our communities and will help provide fun things for children (and adults) to do over the summer."

Justin Sargent, chief executive of SCF, said the foundation is thankful to Magnox for their support and their contribution will help local groups to continue their work on the front line to support communities.

“In the three months since our appeal was first launched, thanks to the incredible support of local donors like Magnox and the National Emergencies Trust, it has raised more than £800,000 for Somerset," Justin said.

"Those donations have meant that so far, grants worth £450,000 have been awarded to over 160 charitable groups across the county, with more being awarded every week.

“We believe that if we can reach our target and award £1.5m in grants we can help our local charities and community groups to weather the financial storm they're facing now and in the future.

"The impact of coronavirus on our communities won’t end when lockdown is lifted. Life will be even tougher for those who are already disadvantaged.

“Small, local charities are vital to Somerset’s social fabric and funding from organisations like Magnox will help tackle this disadvantage and keep our communities strong.”