AN EMERGENCY fund to support essential community organisations affected by the coronavirus pandemic is set to be extended.

Hexham Town Council has made it a priority to provide financial backing for local charities and community groups which have been hit hard during the past nine months.

Organisations have been invited to apply for funding throughout the pandemic, and to date, eight have received much-needed grants to make up for a lack of their usual income streams.

The council has revealed that so far, Hexham's Adapt Café, Forum Cinema, Hexham Community Centre, Hexham Youth Initiative, Minerva, the Torch Centre, Transition Tynedale and the West Northumberland Food Bank, have all received grants of between £350 to £5,000-plus.

The Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Bob Hull, said: "The town council is extremely happy to be able to offer emergency support to a range of community organisations in the town facing difficulties they were unable to foresee.

"The council has recognised their importance to the make-up of the town and is able to offer funding to help to ensure they are able to continue to provide the services they do to the town. In particular we are proud to be able to help the Forum Cinema which has been severely affected by Covid and is one of the many jewels in Hexham’s crown providing both entertainment and also employment opportunities."

Organisation can apply for funding by emailing the town clerk via clerk@hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Further information is available from the town council on (01434) 609575 and online via hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk.

All applications will be considered by the Council’s Finance Committee which meets every 4-6 weeks.”