Two Bodmin community groups are calling on people to support their bids to win National Lottery funding.

The Hugs Foundation, a rescue and rehabilitation charity for horses and ponies that have been mistreated or abandoned or are otherwise unwanted, and intoBodmin, a community and arts group, have been nominated in this year’s The People’s Projects.

If successful, intoBodmin will use the money to fund a community waffler to help bring community ideas to life while the Hugs Foundation wants to further improve the lives of horses and humans.

Films about the Hugs Foundation’s Hooves, Hearts and Minds Aligned project and intoBodmin’s community waffler project are being aired on ITV Westcountry.

A spokesman for the National Lottery said: “IntoBodmin and the Hugs Foundation are among groups in the ITV Westcountry region that are in the running for a share of almost £250,000 of funding. 

“The Hugs Foundation and intoBodmin are calling on local people to vote for them in this year’s The People’s Projects. 

“The People’s Projects not only delivers vital grants to the heart of UK communities, but also raises awareness of the incredible work of the 95 shortlisted community groups vying for your vote. 

“Back after a three-year break, the National Lottery Community Fund, ITV, UTV and the Sunday Mail in Scotland have teamed up to give the public a chance to decide how National Lottery funding should be put to good use in their local area. 

“In each region, the three projects with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £70,000. This funding will help make a real difference to people’s lives, particularly in these difficult times. The runners up in each region will be offered up to £10,000 towards their project, bringing the total funding up for grabs for communities across the UK to over £4m.”

Laura Dennis at the Hugs Foundation and Lisa Townsend from intoBodmin said: “The People’s Projects has given us an amazing opportunity to raise awareness and support for our work and, with your help, secure this additional much-needed funding. 

“We now need local people to get behind us, to show their support and vote.” 

David Knott, the chief executive of the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The shortlisted groups are truly inspirational, each delivering life-changing support to their community in different ways. 

“It is now time for the public to have their say in how vital National Lottery funding is used in their area to make a difference to people’s lives.”

Voting is open at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk