GROUPS throughout East Lothian are being invited to secure a share of £5,000.

CALA Homes has launched its community bursary initiative and encouraged local charities and community groups to apply.

Since the community bursary launched in 2015 to mark CALA’s 140th anniversary, 46 good causes in East Lothian have benefited from the homebuilder’s support, including Gullane Christmas Lights, Cycling Without Age Musselburgh and East Lothian Young Carers.

The scheme was paused last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Craig Lynes, managing director of CALA Homes (east), said: “We launched our bursary as normal last year, but before we had the chance to choose the recipients, we were in lockdown and, with the disruption which followed, were unable to progress with the next stage of the bursary.

“The pandemic has impacted our lives beyond what we could have imagined.

“As such, we understand that the funding requirements of local groups and charities may well have altered.

“By relaunching now, we can give previous applicants the chance to tell us how their needs have changed in light of Covid-19.

“For those groups who either were not previously aware of our community bursary or didn’t need the support this time last year, we are offering the opportunity to now also submit an application.”

For more information, go to cala.co.uk/bursary, with applications to be in by April 16.