Three Aberdeenshire community groups awarded almost £2,000

Three Aberdeenshire community groups have been handed grants amounting to just under £2,000.

The money was awarded through the BT People Awards, which recognise volunteering heroes within their company.

Balmedie Leisure Centre and Balmedie Scout Group were both given £700 by the firm, while Oldmeldrum Sports and Highland Games was handed £500.

Aberdeen-based Openreach service delivery agent, Bill Murray, is chairman of the Balmedie Leisure Centre.

He said: “In a recent survey 60% of our teenagers wished that they had a youth facility or a common meeting place of their own where young people attending the local academies could gather.

“The money will be used to purchase computing equipment to create a youth internet cafe – somewhere to go and meeting their friends in a friendly and safe environment.”