GRASSROOTS sport in the region is to be given a £10,000 boost thanks to a charitable foundation’s involvement in The Northern Echo’s Local Heroes awards.

The County Durham Community Foundation is for the first time becoming a sponsor of the event – known as the Oscars of grassroots sport.

In partnership with grassroots charity Future Sport, £10,000 will be given out in grants to support youngsters who are engaged in sport.

The Local Heroes Awards ceremony, which is in its 13th year, takes place in a marquee at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield , on December 6.

This year’s awards will be launched in the Local Heroes supplement in tomorrow’s paper, with nominations being sought in ten categories.

County Durham Community Foundation was established in 1995 and has so far given out more than £21m in grants to 6,000 groups and 5,000 individuals.

About £900,000 has been used to support sporting activities.

The foundation’s chief executive, Barbara Gubbins, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in the Local Heroes Awards and to be working in partnership with Future Sport. It is fantastic to celebrate successes, which are often against all the odds, and to recognise the dedication of coaches.

“Sport is so important in so many ways, not least in terms of public health. It helps selfesteem, builds a team ethos, establishes friendships and generally develops people.

“Our main theme last year was sport and this year it is health, so the two sit naturally together.”

Future Sport chief executive Peter Slater said: “The Local Heroes Awards is a magical event and we have been honoured to be associated with it for the past 13 years.

“To know that an additional £10,000 will be given out in grants through this Local Heroes partnership with the County Durham Community Foundation is wonderful.”

􀁧 To find out more about the County Durham Community Foundation go to cdcf.org.uk 􀁧 To find out more about Future Sport, go to future sport-ne.co.uk