GP commissioners are inviting community and voluntary sector groups to bid for £50,000 to promote better health in Darlington.

But the successful applicant must persuade a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style panel of GPs and health officials they deserve the cash.

The aim is to support and nurture health-related projects into practical and inspiring enterprises.

Applications are invited from community groups, clubs and societies, voluntary sector organisations, registered charities, schools, parish and town councils, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations.

This year’s NHS Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group Community Innovation Fund theme is ‘Children and Young People’.

Applicants should demonstrate how their project will embrace the CCG’s project goal: ‘To engage our local children and young people in creative and inspiring ways to enhance their quality of life, confidence and health and wellbeing.’

Dr Andrea Jones, chair of the NHS Darlington CCG, said: “I hope that once again the local community and voluntary groups embrace what we are trying to achieve with the fund and come up with some exciting and innovative project ideas that can engage and inspire children and young people in Darlington.”

The projects must be linked to the CCG’s Clear and Credible Plan, which is available via darlingtonccg.nhs.uk.

Projects can bid for funds from £2,500 to £25,000 by September 12 2014.

For further information please contact Malcolm Moralee on 0191 374 4145 or malcolm.moralee@nhs.net or Andrea Patterson on 0191 374 4198 or andrea.patterson@nhs.net.