SPORTY and arty people in Wyre Forest have been given a slice of a grant scheme’s cash to help them fulfil their dreams.

They have each been awarded part of a £1,450 share-out from Wyre Forest District Council’s Xpression grant fund, which is backed by The Shuttle and was set up to support sports, arts, heritage and environmental projects in the district.

Darcie Hancocks, of Kidderminster, scooped a share of the cash to assist with her judo aspirations.

She received £400 to help fund her ambition to compete in European competitions in Italy and Holland and purchase a blue and white competition kit.

A £400 grant will help fund 34 athletes and nine escorts to compete in the Special Olympic National Games in Bath next month.

All the competitors have learning difficulties and will compete in swimming, athletics or gymnastics.

Twelve of the athletes from the Wyre Forest area have been training during the past year for the event.

Another applicant to receive a grant was Samantha Richards, who was given a £400 boost to compete in elite triathlon events.

Kidderminster’s King of Hearts Creative Outreach group applied for a grant to develop art skills in schoolchildren. Its £250 funding will help youngsters in an art workshop at the Barrel of Fun drop-in centre.

Conservative councillor Ian Hardiman, the district council’s cabinet member for community wellbeing, said: “I’m hoping that everyone who benefits from this funding will be inspired to do great things. This is a great example of how small amounts of funding can help change people’s lives. Good luck to all the successful applicants.”

The closing date for the next round of applications is Friday, December 6.