Struggling West Cumbrian families can now apply for up to £1,000 from a new fund for everyday living costs.

The Family Support Fund, funded by Sellafield Ltd as part of its Social impact multiplied (SiX) programme and administrated by Cumbria Community Foundation, seeks to extend financial support to vulnerable families coping with the cost of essentials.

Eligible recipients include those living within the former districts of Allerdale and Copeland, either raising a child under 16 or a young person up to 25 with long-term disability, disabling condition, or life-limiting illness.

The fund is designed for families in need, distress, or financial hardship, who have already exhausted all other funding resources.

A grant will assist with basic needs such as washing, cooking, sleeping, and clothing, or towards accommodation expenditures and wider household essentials.

Those who wish to apply are encouraged to contact their choice of several organisations such as Always Another Way, Cumbria Addictions, Advice and Solutions (CADAS), Howgill Family Centre, Together We CIC, or West Cumbria Domestic Violence.

Tracey West, senior social impact manager at Sellafield, said: "One of our social impact priorities is to support families and to help alleviate hardship.

"Although we tend to work on projects that are designed for sustained impact over the longer term, sometimes we need to do things to address the current situation when people are struggling."

Annalee Holliday, head of grants practice and programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: "Week after week we hear stories of families across West Cumbria who are struggling to feed and clothe their children or pay their household bills.

"This funding will be a very welcome lifeline for many who are having a really hard time right now."

For further details, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/family-support-fund.