Pete's Dragons - one of many community projects to benefit from crowdfunding initiative

Devon County Council has helped various community projects and groups to reach their fundraising targets through the Crowdfund Devon pilot - helping them raise over £80,000.

One of the projects to have benefitted this year is Pete's Dragons, an organisation that supports those who have been affected by suicide.

The funding will be used to provide practical advice as well as emotional support to more people in the Exmouth area and across Devon.

DCC has contributed over £11,000 to individual projects, to help them to respond to key issues that matter to them locally.

The main aim of the initiative is to support local projects that aim to make communities stronger, more connected, active, safer and more inclusive; helping communities to have more control and achieve the things that matter most to them, in ways that they choose.

The online platform, run by Crowdfunder, allows community groups and projects to easily set-up an online project and coordinate their fundraising activity in one place.

It also gives communities access to additional, discretionary funding via Crowdfund Devon, which includes Devon County Council's Community Chest scheme as well as funds from Devon and Cornwall Police, Exeter City Council and five Devon District/Borough Councils (including East Devon).

The added advantage of the scheme is that projects only have to complete one application form to target all of these bodies.

Councillor Roger Croad, Cabinet Member for Communities, said of the projects: "Undoubtedly, local groups and projects, such as those supported by us through Crowdfund Devon, are doing vital work to actively engage local people and help tackle important issues such as isolation, loneliness and mental wellbeing."

"These issues affect such a broad spectrum of people in today's society and Crowdfund Devon gives local communities the helping hand they need to help themselves to remain resilient and connected."

For more information about the grants available and how to apply, click the red button below.