CHESHIRE Wildlife Trust has been given a £143,000 boost from Sport England for the Go Wild - Get Fit project.

It is hoped the cash boost will help local people improve their health, employment opportunities and local communities through volunteering.

Through Go Wild - Get Fit, volunteers will take part in a number of nature-based activities including practical conservation, wildlife surveying and nature walks while also offering opportunities in wildlife skills training and broader life skills.

Funded through Sport England's 'Opportunity Fund' which aims to encourage more people to volunteer to tackle issues people in their communities face.

Martin Varley, director of conservation at Cheshire Wildlife Trust said: "We are grateful to the players of the National Lottery who have enabled this project to go ahead.

“Wild places are great spaces to get people active.

"Thanks to this funding many people who need support the most will have a chance to benefit from getting out into nature and give some back through volunteering.”

Projects are being funded in areas that may experience economic disadvantage from inner-city areas with high levels of crime and social exclusion, to remote rural areas with few services.

Sport England's director of sport, Phil Smith said: "When people volunteer in sport and physical activity there is a dual benefit – volunteers help others in their communities get active, as well as benefitting themselves.

“Volunteering can do wonders for job and career prospects, mental health and making friends. it’s why volunteering sits at the heart of Sport England’s new strategy, towards an active nation.

"We’re delighted to be helping Cheshire Wildlife Trust enable more volunteers to be the catalysts for change in their neighbourhood.

“It’s one of 37 projects in which Sport England has invested in to test different approaches to encourage new audiences to volunteer and benefit their community and others through social action, sport and physical activity.

"These projects will test various different approaches, with the ultimate aim being a larger number and more diverse volunteers.

"We are targeting people who are currently less likely to volunteer in sport, such as women, disabled people, people from BAME groups and people on a low income.”