A GROUP which helps partially-sighted Ryedale residents to socialise is celebrating after receiving a major cash boost.

Malton, Norton and District In-touch has been awarded £21,000 to develop its services over the next three years. The money has come from Ryedale District Council's Community Investment Fund.

The group has more than 50 members from across the district, who meet fortnightly and get together for an outing once a month.

As most sight loss occurs after the age of 65 some members have difficulty with mobility, so the group provides subsidised transport from a wide area, including Helmsley, Ampleforth, Scagg-lethorpe and Sinnington.

Members can also look forward to an annual holiday.

In addition, there is a telephone information line and an equipment loan service. Two part-time staff and about 15 volunteers run the group.

"We are absolutely delighted with the support shown by the council," said organiser and development worker Rachel Popham.

"The grant gives £3,000 this year for help with our expansion, then £5,000 for the next two financial years to help to run mutual support work, and more than £4,000 each year to expand our work to provide less intensive support to a wider group of sight-impaired people, in particular those at an early stage of sight loss.

"We are celebrating in a big way, as six years of funding from the Lottery finishes at the end of this year and the grant from the council was the last brick in the wall to enable us to continue functioning."

The Community Investment Fund gives cash to projects which make a difference in Ryedale, and has already provided thousands of pounds of support to a huge variety of projects that benefit people of all ages in the district.

Over the next three years, £500,000 is on offer to community projects which make a positive impact, either by providing new facilities or extending or expanding service provision to new customers.

Coun Robert Wainwright, chairman of the Community Investment Fund panel, said: "This project is another example of the way that the people of Ryedale can work together with the council to help both themselves and others."

Updated: 10:22 Saturday, December 27, 2003