TWO Keighley-district groups have received a cash boost.

The Friends of Silsden Park and Denholme Sailing Club have each been awarded £500.

They are among 41 community organisations from across Yorkshire to share £20,500 in the latest round of grants from Skipton Building Society’s Grassroots Giving scheme.

Under the initiative, now in its sixth year, shortlisted groups are profiled on the society’s website and the public is invited to vote for its favourite cause.

David Cutter, group chief executive, said: “These groups are all run for their local communities, are managed by volunteers and are largely self-funded.

“We’re proud that this funding from Skipton will play a huge role in their future growth.

“Often small groups are out on a limb and struggle to gain funding from elsewhere, as they are not registered charities.

“Grassroots Giving enables us to really get to the heart of our local communities and we love being able to help causes that we see in action in our neighbourhoods.

“We know that the money they receive will make an impact and this is really important to us.

“We look forward to their updates throughout 2019.”

The Friends of Silsden Park – formed in 2017 – said their grant would be spent mainly on shrubs, trees and flowers as more bedding areas were gradually opened-up.

They also plan to work with Bradford Council to improve access to the park for wheelchair users and parents with prams.

The group’s work is praised by Silsden deputy mayor, Councillor Mags Croft.

She said: “It is wonderful to see the park coming back to life again after years of decay, with new flowerbeds and the enthusiasm of the Friends group.”

Denholme Sailing Club, based at Doe Park, intends using its funds to help pay for a new storage rack in the club’s dinghy pen.

Committee member, Tony Lever, said: “The Grassroots funding is a real boost.

“The rack will enable us to safely store youth training boats.

“The grant will be used for materials, and the assembly will be undertaken by volunteer members.”