New figures released by Sport Wales show that sports clubs and organisations in Pembrokeshire received nearly £45,000 from the national Community Chest fund last year.

The £44,874.50 received locally brings the total for Pembrokeshire in the last four years to £197,751.17.

And the good news on the popular sports grant doesn't end there. For the coming year, it has recently been announced that Sport Wales' Community Chest grant now offers organisations up to £1,500 - an additional £500 - of National Lottery funding towards sports projects.

The scheme, which is run locally by Sport Pembrokeshire, is designed to encourage more people to be more active, more often.

Sports clubs and other organisations with a sporting interest are now being encouraged to make the most of the extra cash available to them by visiting http://www.sportwales.org.uk">www.sportwales.org.uk for an application pack.

Community chest funding benefits clubs and organisations in many ways, from buying new equipment to paying for coaching qualifications. And it's not just about the traditional popular sports - a whole range of activities and organisations could be eligible for funding.

Chair of Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister said: "With local panels deciding local needs, Community Chest has been and continues to be a huge success and is very popular throughout Wales. We are very pleased to be able to boost the grant funds available to worthwhile sports projects across the country.

"It is the hardwork and commitment at this grassroots level that really makes a significant contribution to us achieving our ambitions of getting 'every child hooked on sport for life' and to create 'a nation of champions'."

Sport Wales is also urging clubs and organisations to seek commercial sponsorship and are encouraged to apply to Sport Wales for additional funding.

Chair of Pembrokeshire Community Chest panel, Carol Greenhalgh commented: "The additional Community Chest funding for Pembrokeshire, will give more local clubs and organisations the chance to improve the quality of their provision and increase the numbers involved."