CLUBS and groups have benefitted from a hand out of nearly £300,000 in cash seized from criminals.

Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert handed over donations to 82 organisations in the latest round of grants.

They included Bertie’s Caldicot Amateur Boxing Club based in Sudbrook which received £2,500, Chepstow Boxing Club (£2,200) and the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club (£1,500).

Also in the money were 1st Chepstow Boys and Girls Brigade (£1,000), 1st Wyesham Scout Group in Monmouth (£500), Buckholt Indoor Community Bowls, Mon-

mouth, (£1,000) and Dingestow Short Mat Bowling Club (£1,000).

Bertie’s Caldicot ABC spokesman Martin Lewis said: “This money will help us to buy more equipment so we can attract even more young people to the gym.

“I’m also qualified to coach people with disabilities and I want to attract more disabled people to make use of the gym and show them that boxing is for them as well.

“Boxing clubs like this make a massive difference in communities which are struggling with anti-social behaviour. We take young people off the street and let them throw their energies into boxing.”

As reported in the Review last month, one recent recruit to the gym is father-of-four Gareth Hughes from Lydney, who suffered a broken back and was paralysed in a bike accident last year, and who is fighting his way back to fitness.

Spirit of Monmouth Running Club’s Karen Barratt said: “The funding we have been awarded by the PCC

for Gwent’s Partnership Fund will be used to train some of our members to lead or coach running groups.

“Running is increasing in popularity and new members join the club every month. The training will help keep our runners safe while running in the local area.

“Running is an excellent way to improve physical and mental wellbeing and we are pleased to be able to put money from the PCC to positive use for people within our community”

The Duke of Edinburgh scheme has been launched at 1st Chepstow Boys and Girls Brigade, and a spokesperson said the £1,000 award will help “kick start the programme.”

PCC Jeff Cuthbert said: “I would like to congratulate all the projects funded on their success. I know that small amounts of funding can often make a big difference to people’s lives and can sometimes be the catalyst which can help small community projects to develop, grow and help even more people.

“The Partnership Fund is a fantastic way of putting money we have seized from criminals back into the public purse so it can be used for positive community action.”