MORE than 40 community groups and projects in Bradford are set to receive a total of almost £600,000 thanks to the latest round of National Lottery funding.

The 44 projects will collectively receive £594,000, with the biggest single recipient - the Parish Church of Saint Paul in Manningham - being awarded just shy of £180,000.

The church, based in Church Street, has been granted the cash for its A Room for All project, which will enable the church to refurbish its kitchen and community rooms to improve the spaces for new and existing activities for people of all ages, cultures and faiths.

The money has been granted by Big Lottery Fund, which distributes National Lottery money to good causes across the UK.

A spokesperson for the Anglican Diocese of Leeds said: “This funding will give vital support to the positive work which the church is doing with its surrounding communities.”

James Harcourt, England grant-making director at the Big Lottery Fund, added: “It’s wonderful to see the positive impact projects like St Paul’s are making in Bradford.

“They are an inspiration to others, showing what great things can be achieved when people work together to tackle the things that really matter to their community.”

Other groups which received funding include £10,000 to Rah Rah Community Theatre Company for a new play focused on human trafficking, Bradford Asian Sports to raise awareness of the health problems caused by smoking, and Bradford Moor Residents for a mentoring programme for young people and families impacted by gun and knife violence.

A number of prominent Bradford groups and charities also received funding from the National Lottery.

Muslim Women’s Council received £10,000 for a support group for women going through family, marriage and divorce problems, as did One Britain One Nation, for this year’s day of celebration, and Dementia Friendly Keighley, for weekly dementia awareness sessions for people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Cecil Green Arts has received £9,970 for community workshops to create lanterns for a parade, Eccleshill Mechanics Institute has received £9,110 to refurbish its toilets, and Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure has been granted £8,180 for activities accessible to both disabled and non-disabled people.

The full list of recipients is: Inspiring Inspirations, Bradford Volleyball Club, Imagine Bradford , Rah Rah Community Theatre Company, Muslim Women’s Council, Thinking Big CIC, Bradford Asian Sports, Learn.org.uk, Dementia Friendly Keighley, Bradford Moor Residents, Bierley Community Association, The Lion Strength and Fitness Academy, Cavendish Primary School, Silkstone Sports Association, One Britain One Nation, Sport Campaign Against Racism, and Eastburn Amateur Boxing Club, which have all been awarded £10,000 for their respective projects.

Other recipients of grants of less than £10,000 are Hope Housing, Hill Top CofE Primary School, 16-2-25 Advice Service, LG Walking and Outdoor Club, Cecil Green Arts, Education Advice Service for Adults, Meet and Eat at Rockwell, Hive, HCJB-UK, Bradford East Africa Community, Bradford PHAB Club, Common Wealth Theatre, Newlands Community Transport, Little Gardeners @ Rockwell, Why Don’t We..., Highfield Food Co-op, Bradford Toy Library, MCF Bikeries, Haworth Riding for the Disabled, Eccleshill Mechanics Institute, So Can You CIC, Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource, Albion Sports Juniors, Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure, Opening Boundaries CIC, and Lidget Green Elders Group.