A HOST of community groups are in line for a welcome windfall...but they need your votes to secure the cash.

The Aviva Community Fund provides payouts of up to £25,000 to worthy causes.

Groups can submit a request for funding via an online portal, with a public vote taking place to determine who makes it to the final stage, where a judging panel will decide the winners.

Several applications have been received from Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

Among those hoping to cash in is Elderslie Community Council, which plans to transform a rusting playpark in Queen’s Road into a modern attraction.

Ann-Marie Balfour, community council treasurer, said: “We need £90,000 just to install the playpark we’re envisaging but we want to continue building upwards after that.

“We want places where the next generation can start to grow their own fruit, veg and flowers and we’d like to put in some adult exercise equipment as well.

“There is so much scope to develop the park and it’s needed because there’s just nothing for kids to do in Elderslie.”

“We want to achieve great things for the village and think everyone deserves better than what is currently on site.”

Also in the running for a cash award is an ‘Enchanted Forest’ project in Elderslie, which aims to secure £1,000 to enhance the outdoor areas at Wallace Primary School.

Flying the flag for Linwood is the Tumble for Excellence initiative, while cash is also being sought for the Lapwing Lodge Outdoor Centre.

Also vying for votes are a project to refurbish the kitchen at Kilmacolm Guide Hut, a health initiative to encourage kids in Renfrew to walk a ‘daily mile’ and Paisley-based groups Sing Yerself Happy and Stronger Communities Glenburn.

Meanwhile, in East Renfrewshire, young footballers and future acting stars are among those in need of votes to secure funding.

Barrhead Youth Football Club (BYFC) is seeking more than £5,000 to buy a ‘panna football cage,’ which is designed to develop individual skills and help players gain confidence on the ball. 

A club spokesperson said: “This would benefit every member of our club, as well as the local community. BYFC is an active presence in the community and no other clubs locally have such a facility.

“This would bring street football back to life, promote positive mental health, as well as increasing the fitness levels of all.”

Also looking for cash is Barrhead drama club In Cahootz, which hopes to get more youngsters involved.

Club co-ordinator Annmarie Strain said: “Upon initial advertising we had over 120 parents registering their children. 

“With the funding we had secured we could take only 40 children over two classes on a first come first served basis, leaving the rest currently on a waiting list. 

“So, the demand for a drama group like ours is quite high. The money would allow the continuation of the project and the possibility of us adding extra classes.”

Neilston Wasps is seeking up to £1,000 to buy new tracksuits and winter gear for its players, while Newton Mearns First Responders is looking for money to pay for training equipment.

The deadline for voting is Tuesday, November 20, and all projects can be found by searching online at www.community-fund.aviva.co.uk.