Give us £1 up to £10 and we can double it to aid small charities helping vulnerable people in Poole.

That’s the plea behind the new Poole Communities Fund which has been launched at the Civic Centre.

First up to pledge money was Cllr Judy Butt, Borough of Poole portfolio holder for communities, who made an online donation at localgiving.com/charity/poolecf.

“It’s a superb idea because it’s an ability to give a little to your community which is going to make a massive difference,” she said.

Hilary Evans, community strategy manager for Borough of Poole said: “With lot of charitable donations people make, the money doesn’t get back to Poole.

“This fund is actually for local charities, for the very small groups that are helping the most vulnerable in the community,” she said.

Half-a-million pounds of matched funding is available from government for the region and the more local people give, the more will come Poole’s way.

The Matched Funding Challenge will double your money up to a maximum of £10, and direct debit donations of up to £30 will also be matched, until the £500,000 has been used up.

In a year’s time there could be £2,000 available to be bid for from groups who run food banks, lunch clubs, who support young carers or disadvantaged young people, for example.

Run as an endowment fund, money will be invested to make it grow. And a bequest can also be left to it in a will.

Poole Mayor, Cllr Carol Evans, has chosen to support the Poole Communities Fund as one of her charities for the year. “I hope local people will join me in making a donation to the fund,” she said.

“It’s going to be a vital fund for people in future,” said Hilary.