SOCIALLY aware businesses in Bradford are being offered a share of £5 million to help them grow.

The Key Fund aims to invest £1m a month for the next five months through loans and grants to help finance new ideas or the expand existing businesses.

The backer of social enterprises has supported 2,500 organisations with more than £35m since 1999 - including Bradford firms - who may have been turned down by mainstream lenders.

Now it is keen to help more companies grow.

Head of investment Garry Brown said: "We understand the unique aspects of the North and the challenges that Yorkshire communities face in the current economic climate - almost 80 per cent of all investments last year were in the most deprived 20 per cent areas in England.

"Social enterprises struggle to gain the confidence of mainstream investors. As the sector grows there is increasing interest and plenty of passion, but start-ups and young businesses need support, guidance and investment in order to flourish. That’s where we come in."

Key Fund has backed a enterprises ranging from community-owned pubs, social care services, high-tech renewable energy services and recycling schemes.

Key Fund, based in Sheffield, is itself a social enterprise which was started to counteract long-term unemployment after the collapse of the steel and coal industries in South Yorkshire.

Locally, its has twice backed The Aqua Clinic UK in Shipley and luxury greetings card producer The Juniper Tree Card Company, whose printing and envelope production is in Bradford.

The second £30,000 investment to The Aqua Clinic covered the costs of building a new sensory room and equipping it with specialist equipment to offer more therapeutic help.

Aqua Clinic director Garry Hudson said: "I have always found Key Fund staff down to earth, professional and a pleasure to do business with."

Tanya Palmer of The Juniper Tree Card Company added: "I applied for funding from the Key Fund after I took lots of orders at a trade show and needed access to some finance to complete them all. As a new business, banks wouldn't lend to us and I found myself panicking slightly.

"The help that they gave me eased the cash flow issues, helped me to fulfil my orders and also to do more advertising. You could say the Key Fund saved my business."

Companies seeking backing should e-mail info@thekeyfund.co.uk or call 0845 140 1400.