COMMUNITY groups and individuals are being offered the chance of snapping up grants of £1,000.

Developer Skipton Properties is handing out £1,000 to worthy causes every month for the next 12 months.

Applications can be made from now, and the first £1,000 will be awarded in November.

Caroline Verity, marketing director of the family firm, said she had come up with the idea after being approached by Skipton teenager Zara Salim, who wanted help with her fundraising for cancer charity, Macmillan.

She added: "I was approached by Zara’s mother, Jackie Beck, who told me about Zara’s fundraising efforts for her grandad for Macmillan Cancer.

"We don’t often get approached for such causes, but it really touched me being able to help her achieve her goals."

The company, run by Brian Verity and daughters, Caroline and Sarah, is inviting applications from charities, schools or clubs in the Skipton area with a worthy cause and in need of some extra cash.

"It must be a local cause, however we will also accept applications for local people fundraising for national charities that matter to them, as long as we can donate through a justgiving or virginmoney page," said Miss Verity.

"We have always tried to give back to the communities in which we build our homes, but during the next 12 months, we'd like to reach more of the causes that matter to us."

Meanwhile, 13-year-old Zara is delighted with the support given to her, and went on to raise £3,500 for Macmillan at her auction.

Her mum said: "We approached many local businesses in the run-up to Zara's Macmillan charity auction. Most were more than happy to help but the one that took our breath away was Caroline's offer of a £500 John Lewis voucher from Skipton properties.

"Everyone was buzzing. It gave Zara such a boost that someone unknown to us could be so generous to give to a charity that we and many others need access to."

She added: "Zara is very proud she is Caroline's inspiration for her new project."

E-mail hello@skiptonproperties.com to apply to the Skipton Properties Community Grants scheme.