A north Cumbrian church group has thanked a county voluntary organisation for its help in securing much-needed funding in the wake of the Covid-19 disruption.

The Border Kirk, a Church of Scotland group based across Carlisle and Longtown, has thanked the Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service for its assistance in navigating the grant funding available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesman for Cumbria CVS explained that the disruption caused by Covid-19 had placed The Border Kirk in a difficult financial situation.

"Cumbria CVS was contacted in early May by Pat Edwards, congregational treasurer of The Border Kirk in Carlisle," the spokesman said.

"The church had been closed since the commencement of Covid-19 lockdown in March.

"They had lost all revenue from rentals from the Mencap Doves Coffee Shop, and regular and one-off lets to a wide range of community groups and organisations.

"All of the ongoing costs and expenses associated with maintaining the building remained.

"The Border Kirk asked if we were aware of any funding that may be able to assist them."

Cumbria CVS then provided the church group with information on a variety of possible sources of national and local funding including - details of the small business grants fund.

"In early June, The Border Kirk got back in touch to confirm that they had been awarded funding from the retail, hospitality and leisure stream of the small business grant fund through Carlisle City Council," the spokesman added.

"Cumbria CVS continues to provide information and support on funding that The Border Kirk may be eligible for."

Pat Edwards, treasurer for The Border Kirk said: "A huge thank you to you and your team at Cumbria CVS for all your help and support in guiding us to the appropriate links to enable us to receive funding."