GROUPS driving vital health projects to benefit their communities can now bid for all-important funding to help make their own ambitions become a reality.

GROUPS driving vital health projects to benefit their communities can now bid for all-important funding to help make their own ambitions become a reality.

The Healthy Ambitions Suffolk grants programme currently has around �200,000 available each year until 2012 for both new and existing health projects which will benefit people living and working in the county.

With three separate grant schemes available for groups - ranging from grants of �250 to �15,000 - initiatives of all sizes are invited.

'We are delighted to announce the launch of the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk grants programme, which will offer vital financial help to a whole range of grassroots organisations from around the county,' said Sally Hogg, head of health improvement partnerships at NHS Suffolk.

'We are keen to hear from any projects which show fresh approaches and new ideas for addressing health issues within our communities.'

With the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk strategy aiming to make Suffolk the healthiest county in England by 2028 by cutting the number of preventable deaths and helping people to live a healthier lifestyle, groups interested in a grant should contact The Suffolk Foundation, which is managing the scheme.

For more information telephone 01473 734127 or visit www.healthyambitionssuffolk.nhs.uk