A COVID fund set up to help charities during the pandemic is now closed to new applications because all funds have now been spent . The Cumbria Covid-19 Response Fund, administered by the Cumbria Community Foundation, has handed out £2.36m to about 200 organisations since it started in March. It s provided a lifeline to those helping the elderly, medically vulnerable, young people, those facing financial hardship and emotional distress. The announcement comes despite the Government implementing a raft of measures to tackle the new variant of the disease - which could remain in place until spring. Jenny Benson, director of programmes and partnerships at the foundation, said: “It is with regret that we close the Fund to new applications.