Co-ordinating the massive pay out is our sister title, the Eastern Daily Press.

Cambs Times: Keith Smith, Director of the Luminus Ferry Project, was named Inspirational Leader of the Year at the 2012s Housing Heroes Awards and received his award from BBC news presenter Louise Minchin.Keith Smith, Director of the Luminus Ferry Project, was named Inspirational Leader of the Year at the 2012s Housing Heroes Awards and received his award from BBC news presenter Louise Minchin. (Image: Archant)

Their Big EDP Lottery Fund campaign has now reached a decisive stage with the announcement of the short list of those bidding for a share of the quarter million pound pot.

Around 100 community groups had applied for funding from the Big EDP Lottery Fund – but the tough decisions to decide on a shortlist for that quarter of a million pounds have now been made.

The next stage is for the readers of the EDP, who will soon be given the power to help decide which of the final 22 they think most deserve the funding through a public vote.

Community groups were invited to bid for a grant of between £10,000 and £30,000, explaining how they would use the money to benefit their area.

Of the 99 groups to apply for a portion of the £250,000 being given away, there were 71 projects which met the criteria for the Big Lottery Fund’s giveaway of National Lottery good-cause cash.

That 71 has now been whittled down to a final 22 of groups bidding to improve communities around Norfolk, north Suffolk and part of the Fens.

The final 22 represent all areas of the EDP’s readership – and include the Ferry Project, Wisbech and the Fenland Gymnastics Academy, based in Algores Way, Wisbech.

EDP editor Nigel Pickover said he was delighted to be able to give the readers of the EDP the chance to vote for funding that could make a big difference to where they

live.

Mr Pickover said: “It was a tough decision to decide on the final 22 but I think the shortlist excellently represents the hard work of community projects in our region.”

Details of how to vote will be published in the EDP next week.

Our Fenland contenders are:

FENLAND GYMNASTICS ACADEMY (£21,980)

To fund two posts for 12 months; community gymnastics coach and bilingual coaching assistant.

THE FERRY PROJECT (£29,838)

Wisbech group behind Healthy Eating For All, a new cookery college for Fenland