The Wimbledon Foundation has awarded £64,000 to projects encouraging people to get physically active.
More than 40 groups and clubs active in Merton and Wandsworth applied to the Get Set, Get Active Fund, set up two years ago by the charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Championships.
It has helped 29 wide-ranging projects to fund equipment and kits, coaching fees and venue hire.
Foundation and community manager Helen Parker said: “We were thrilled to receive applications covering such a variety of pursuits.
“From korfball sessions for young people to a cycling project for the visually impaired, we hope local people will try something new and reap the benefits exercise can bring.”
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) was awarded a grant towards swimming lessons for refugee children in Wandsworth.
Youth coordinator and finance officer Egle Banelyte said: “CARAS is very excited to develop our sports offer to young people from refugee background.”
Merton and Morden Guild were helped to fund exercise classes specifically tailored to older people who have suffered from an injury and have attended the NHS Staying Steady Falls Prevention Course.
Hamish Duncan, general secretary for the Merton and Morden Guild, said: “Getting people together to exercise can positively improve the effects of isolation, loneliness and help increase social interaction.”
Grants range from £500 – £2,500 with priority given to projects that have greater social needs such as people with disabilities, the elderly, young children, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups (BAME), and people who are unemployed or not in education.
