By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie has congratulated seven local groups after they netted a total of almost £220,000 from the National Lottery’s community fund.
West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, Bellsmyre Development Trust and Rhu and Shandon Community Centre are among the recipients of the funding.
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, pictured right, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that so many local groups have benefited from the latest tranche of awards through the National Lottery Community Fund.
“It is heartening to hear that this money will allow charities to maintain existing services which are vital locally but that it will also help establish new activities which aim to bring communities together.
“I know how valued these local groups are and this funding is very welcome.”
Fun First received a £7,425 grant which will be used to improve the well-being of 200 families in the Helensburgh area through a variety of weekly fun sessions for pre-school children.
Rhu and Shandon Community Centre received a £42,284 grant. This will go towards engaging local people in a new community food garden in the grounds of Rhu Community Hall near Helensburgh. The garden will host community activity for all ages, create volunteering opportunities and provide free access to fresh local produce.
Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust were recipients of a £5000 grant which will be used to start an annual Cove and Kilcreggan 10k Walk and Run on the Rosneath Peninsula.
Bellsmyre Development Trust SCIO received a £96,000 grant which will be used in the creation of a new Business Development and Operations Co-ordinator post to support the continued development and delivery of community-centred activities offered by the Cutty Sark Centre in Bellsmyre, Dumbarton.
Early Years Scotland received a £10,000 grant. The organisation will use the funding to continue to run and to develop supported and structured outdoor learning and play activities for local children and their families in West Dunbartonshire who are experiencing challenges around mental and physical health, well-being and inclusion.
Inler Park Trust received a £9,989 grant. The group will use the funding to purchase furniture items, equipment and fittings to create a warm space with activities for the local community, and support people most impacted by the cost of living crisis.
West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare [pictured above] received £47,588 which will go towards covering staffing and overhead costs associated with their work which includes providing emergency food parcels, a baby bank and a school uniform bank.
For more information on The National Lottery Community Fund see https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes