THIRTEEN community groups in Chester-le-Street are sharing £15,000 worth of grants from the town’s biggest social landlord,

The money comes from Cestria Community Housing’s community fund and was awarded

by a panel of staff and tenants in sums ranging from £100 to £2,000

The fund, now in its third year, gives a proportion of the efficiency savings made by the social housing provider to local good causes.

Nettlesworth Youth and Community Cafe will use its £1,750 grant to buy tables, chairs, sofas and children’s play equipment.

Cafe volunteer Donna Bruce said: “The grant from Cestria is very welcome and will make a big difference to the community cafe.

“It will help us to make it a more inviting and comfortable place for those who use it. “

MyPainFibro has received £2,000 for an art and photography competition. The group supports people with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes long-term pain and extreme tiredness, and was set up last year by a group of Cestria tenants.

Group founder Angela Walker said: ‘We can't thank Cestria enough for this funding.

“People suffering from Fibromyalgia are in constant pain and diversionary activities such as art and crafts can make a real difference. “Just being able to discuss the challenges sufferers face on a daily basis with each other is great therapy. “

Cestria’s head of finance,Julie Clarke, said: “We have been able to provide small cash grants which often make a big difference to the club or group concerned.”

The complete list of awards is: Beamish Dynamos Disability Football Team, £2,000; MyPainFibro, £2,000; Chester-le-Street PACT Premier League, £2,000; Help Open Eyes to Disability, £1,750; Nettlesworth Youth and Community Cafe, £1,750; New Generation Brass, £1,400; Bullion Community Resource Centre, £1,000; Aspire Learning Support and Wellbeing, £1,000; Edmondsley Young Gardeners’ Club, £800; Great Lumley Friday Club for the Disabled and Housebound, £500; Ladies Over-60s Group, £500; 5th Chester-le-Street Brownies, £200; South Pelaw Toddler Group, £100.