COUNCILLORS across the borough have contributed £26,000 to their communities in the fight against Covid-19.

Guidelines around Wigan Council’s Brighter Borough fund, which gives each councillor access to a pot of money each year to support community projects, have been relaxed so money can be urgently accessed to support the community during the outbreak.

Existing criteria for the pot has been suspended with the borough’s 75 councillors encouraged to target their funds to help vulnerable residents and critical needs.

Leader of the council, Councillor David Molyneux said: “I’m proud to see so many groups already benefitting from this funding which I know is making a huge difference to ensuring vulnerable people are accessing food and essentials.

“It’s now more important than ever to ensure our members have the resources to support residents.”

The scheme has been running for 10 years and this year the amount for each elected member increased by more than £500 to £6k.

Local groups which have benefited from the fund include:

Atherton & Leigh Food bank - £10,000

Daffodils Dreams CIC - £,1500

Compassion in Action - £1,500

The Bridge - £1,500

Fur Clemt - £2,500

Abram Ward Community Cooperative - £1,500

Crisp Communities CIC - £6,000

Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles for SWAN Food parcels - £1,500

Residents and groups can contact their local councillors directly with proposals for the fund.

Applications for Brighter Borough will be assessed in line with the local authority’s priorities amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Councillor Molyneux continued: “Working together we can make a difference and can stop the spread of this virus. It’s so important we all follow the government’s guidelines and continue to social distance. We must play our part to help save lives.”