A SPORTS charity in Blaenavon is looking for people and organisations in need of financial support.

Blaenavon Leisure and Sports Trust (BLAST) was set up as a result of the fight to save Blaenavon’s leisure facilities from demolition in 2007.

Now it is urging clubs and individual sportspeople from north Torfaen to apply for funding from the pot of money raised in the battle.

BLAST has raised almost £50,000 which it is keen to redistribute to benefit the community.

The charity’s chairman, John Beavan, said: “We want to make sports and leisure clubs and teams and individuals aware that there is this pot of money that the people who made donations to would like to see recycled back into the community.”

Forge Side RFC’s mini rugby team is the most recent beneficiary of BLAST funding, having been awarded £500 towards new club hoodies.

“We are extremely grateful and thoroughly appreciative for the funding, as it will benefit approximately 40 Blaenavon children,” said coach Steve Reed.

The awards are available up to a maximum of £500. Applicants should live in north Torfaen. Sports or leisure groups applying should have a qualified instructor and/or affiliated governing body, and individuals must be involved in activities at an amateur level.

Anyone interested in applying for an award is asked to do so by Email BLAST group@hotmail.com for an application form or call contacting John Beavan on 01495 792140.