Thomas Cook Children’s Charity has partnered with Sport England to offer £500,000 to improve sporting opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

The money will be added to the Inspired Facilities fund which is part of the Places People Play Olympic legacy programme.

Local sports clubs and facilities applying to this fund can apply for additional funding from the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity if their project will benefit disadvantaged young people.

Pip Tyler, vice chairman of Thomas Cook Children’s Charity said: “As Thomas Cook is one of the key sponsors of the 2012 Olympics, we are keen to nurture home-grown talent and ensure sporting opportunities are accessible in the most deprived areas of England.”

The Inspired Facilities fund has also received £50m of National Lottery funding and will invest this through five funding rounds. Community and voluntary organisations can apply for grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 to renovate facilities.

The minister for sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson MP said: “This £50m fund is a huge boost to community sport. It will transform local sports facilities up and down the country and leave a lasting legacy from London 2012 at a local level.”