MORE than £2m in lottery funding will be shared between good causes in the North-East.

Projects across the region will benefit from a boost in funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

The £2m will be shared across 71 organisations in a bid to help them improve local communities and the lives of those in need.

Stockton based organisation NEPACs will receive £450,000 for a project supporting families of prisoners.

It will be used to expand a special visits programme which offers support for first time fathers, parenting courses and chaperoned visits for unaccompanied minors.

The Citizens House project in Consett will use a development grant of £24,940 on plans to extend their building to create a larger hall, more rooms and a small café.

Cleveland Fire Support Network, based in Middlesbrough, will use £9,590 to set up an online charity shop and offer volunteering opportunities to those with learning difficulties and mental health issues.

Redcar’s Chris Cave Foundation will receive £10,000 for workshops to educate young people on issues around gangs, knife and violent crime.

A bike hotel will be built by the St Charles RCVA Primary School in Spennymoor with their £9,600 grant.

The bike hotel will allow children to store their bikes and will encourage them to cycle to and from school.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund England grant making director said: “So many local community organisations are enabling people and communities to grow together bringing positive changes to their lives and futures.

“It’s wonderful to hear the stories of how through these great projects people have overcome barriers, learned new skills and improved their lives.”