Dozens of community groups in Suffolk and north Essex are in line for a cash boost – thanks to Sport Relief and the East Anglian Daily Times.

A total of £75,000 is up for grabs for local organisations as part of the Sport Relief Community Cash fund, and groups can apply for sums of up to £1,000 each.

The fundraising extravaganza’s 2014 campaign, which is part of Comic Relief, launches today with the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games held over the weekend of March 21-23.

The money raised by members of the public as they run, cycle and swim at events across the country will be used to transform the lives of disadvantaged people in the UK and some of the world’s poorest countries.

And for the first time small community organisations in the EADT’s circulation area will be able to get their hands on a pot of £75,000 to help people going through tough times.

The grants, which come from the Sport Relief Community Cash fund, will be for sums between £500 and £1,000 and are available through the Suffolk Community Foundation via www.suffolkcf.org.uk.

Sue Wicks, UK grants manager at Comic Relief, said: “Comic Relief is delighted to be working with the East Anglian Daily Times and offering Sport Relief Community Cash for the first time to local groups across Suffolk and north Essex.

“We have funded some truly fantastic projects in the area and are looking forward to seeing some new groups applying this time.

“Thanks to the hard work of these groups, money raised through Sport Relief can get right to the heart of the local community and make a real difference where it is most needed.

“I urge as many groups as possible to get their applications in now for their chance to get a grant from the £75,000 on offer.”

The grant applications will be handled by the Suffolk Community Foundation which already offers similar funding to community and charitable groups.

Mandy Abdel-Aziz, operations director at Suffolk Community Foundation, said: “The whole team at Suffolk Community Foundation is extremely excited about this new opportunity for small, local charities and community groups to apply to this new grants programme to help support their work.

“There are so many worthy causes in Suffolk, all of which have a special story to tell.

“We are looking forward to working with as many local groups as possible over the next few months through the Sports Relief Community Cash grants scheme.”

Terry Hunt, EADT editor, said: “We are delighted that Sport Relief has chosen us as partners and we look forward to being able to help dozens of very deserving local groups in the coming months.’’

The main Sport Relief campaign will see people across the country run, cycle and swim a variety of distances to raise money for Comic Relief.

There are events being held across the country including runs in Ipswich, Stowmarket, Otley and Harwich, and swimathons in Woodbridge, Leiston, Hadleigh, Dovercourt and Walton.

Felixstowe will also be hosting both a run and a swimathon.

One of many celebrities backing Sport Relief is sports presenter Jake Humphrey, who said: “The great thing about Sport Relief is that it isn’t just saying ‘give us £5’ or ‘put your hand in your pocket and give us a tenner’ or ‘buy a cake from a ‘bring and buy stall’. What we are saying is raise money for charity and be part of something incredible that brings the whole nation together, and at the same time you’ll be fitter, you’ll be stronger, you’ll be faster, and you’ll feel good about yourself.

“Sport Relief is fantastic because you’re giving and taking at the same time, and there are so few charitable initiatives that can achieve that.

“That’s the magic about Sport Relief.”

As well as raising money through event entry fees, merchandise and donations, sales from the official Sport Relief single will contribute to the grand total.

This year the song is a cover of Cameo’s 1986 hit Word Up performed by former X-Factor winners Little Mix.

Full details about all things Sport Relief, including how to take part and events near you, can be found at www.sportrelief.com.