A BREWERY in Dorset has launched its annual award applications - which will see £50,000 dished out to community causes from across the county.

Hall & Woodhouse, an independent family-owned brewer founded in Blandford in 1777, launched the Community Chest initiative in 2002 and opened its again pledged thousands of pounds to worthy causes located across Dorset.

Hall & Woodhouse’s grant application process allows voluntary and charity groups to apply for up to £3,000 to support their needs.

Mark Woodhouse, family director of Hall & Woodhouse, said: "The Community Chest was founded over 20 years ago to support and strengthen the local communities of which our pubs are an integral part of.

"It's simply the right thing to do to maintain our offer of financial support for these local organisations that play such vital roles in our communities."

the family brewery has adapted its application process for 2022 to now operate in two stages to be able to consider organisations that have an urgent need for funding.

The majority of grant applications will be considered in the autumn with funding received in January 2023, but some recipients will be fast-tracked to receive funds in September 2022 to accommodate any crucial needs.

Hall & Woodhouse said popular local BBC radio presenter Steve Harris will be part of the judging panel for this year’s awards.

Its pubs locally include the Duchess of Cornwall Inn at Poundbury, the Smugglers Inn at Osmington, the Ship Inn on Weymouth quayside, the Red Lion at Winfrith, the Martyrs Inn at Tolpuddle, the Crown Hotel in Blandford, and the Lulworth Cove Inn in Lulworth.

Mr Woodhouse added: "It's been a difficult few years and with us all facing additional financial pressures, we're particularly keen to hear from those most in need."

Since 2002, the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest has donated over £715,000 to more than 860 causes across the south of England and works in partnership with both the Dorset and Sussex Community Foundations.

A Community Chest grant can go towards improving a variety of different aspects of the local area, for example, by helping alleviate poverty and social isolation, as well as supporting well-being initiatives and specialist health related support groups.

It also supports extra-curricular and sporting activities, the arts, environment and more.

Application forms can be downloaded via: www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/community-chest and then emailed to communitychest@hall-woodhouse.co.uk for consideration.