A DEAF woman who helps other hearing-impaired people to gain sign language qualifications said Big Lottery cash had been vital for her organisation.

Jackie Bielby, who runs Yours In British Sign Language, a community interest company in Blackburn, urged other community groups to take advantage of a major funding boost available from the Lancashire Telegraph.

The newspaper has teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund to set up the Lancashire Telegraph Community Cash Awards, which will see £250,000 handed out to deserving groups across the East Lancashire region.

Through the awards, grants of £10,000 to £30,000 are available for groups to bid for.

With a grant of £10,000 Jackie was recently able to put seven deaf people through their sign language qualifications.

She said: “I had been teaching hearing people for a long time.

Now it is good to give deaf people a chance to obtain their qualifications.”

Jackie added: “Hearing people go out and get good jobs, but deaf people do minimum wage jobs like cleaning or stay at home.

“They try going to Job Centres but there is nothing for them. They often come to me and are feeling very depressed.

“But with their qualifications here they can look for good jobs linked to deaf issues.”

The closing date for applications is Sunday.

Joan Ford, community philanthropy manager at the Community Foundation for Lancashire, who is administering the fund said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in your community, but time is running out.”

For an application form and guidelines, visit www.lancsfoundation.org.uk and highlight Big Lottery Fund £250k Community Cash Awards or call 0151 2322444.