Community groups from across Gwent have helped to distribute almost £40,000 in funding.

The Your Voice, Your Choice event is funded through the Gwent High Sheriffs’ Community Fund, which has received a significant contribution from commissioning monies held by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston

The money was made available to local groups who are involved in promoting and supporting community safety, crime prevention, youth diversion as well as tackling drugs and alcohol abuse.

Each group had just minutes to sell their project to all of those present at the event on Saturday.

After each presentation, the other groups scored their bids and those with the highest scores received the funding.

This included:

Abertillery Street Pastors - £797

Alway and Ringland Amateur Boxing Club - £2,900

Bullies Out - £2,500

Coed Eva & Hollybush Community Hall Youth Group – £2,900

Duffryn Community Link - £3,000

G-Expressions - £3,000

Kids R Us - £2,300

Kings Arms Around the Valleys - £2,500

Pillgwenlly Millennium Centre Trust - £1,220

Ringland Community Association - £2,100

Senghenydd Youth Drop in Centre – £2,900

Spencer Boys Junior Youth Football Club – £2,000

The CoStar Partnership - £3,000

The Kaleidoscope Project - £1,400

The Zone - £2,900

Tredegar Community Youth Café - £3,000

Woodlands Field Group - £3,000

High Sheriff, Murray MacFarlane, said: “These community groups are truly an inspiration to all of us and it’s heartening to see that we have so many people with such incredible drive and ambition in Gwent who strive to improve the lives and life chances of people in their communities.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, added: “There are countless community groups working hard to provide diversionary and supportive services to residents all across Gwent, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The work that they do is vital to many people and I am pleased that I have been able to provide some funding and hopefully helped them to continue to prosper.”

For more information visit www.ghscf.org.uk/fund-news