A £10,000 grants fund will be shared by 40 groups from across the region.

Global chemical company Venator has announced the first ever recipients of its Together Fund, following an online public vote.

More than 60,000 people voted for 109 shortlisted community groups, sporting clubs and other organisations which applied for a share of the £10,000 pot.

Venator, which produces specialist pigments and additives, this week announced the 40 most voted applicants which each get a grant of £250 towards activities that inspire teamwork. They included schools, Scouts, a homeless café, dementia project, Polish Saturday School, a Giving Garden, sea cadets, boys’ club, carers’ clubs, theatre groups, and town bands and many sports clubs.

Karen Fenwick, vice president corporate branding and communications, said: “To see over 64,906 people voting for their favourite local projects shows what a really great community we have here in the North East. There are some fantastic and humbling stories among our winners and, without exception, all of our successful applicants and winners represent the very best community spirit. With 800 employees from across the North East, we think it’s important to give back to the communities where we live and work, so we are delighted to reward the winners who share our values of togetherness and teamwork."