A memorial trust set up in tribute to a north-east teacher killed in a car crash has revealed the latest community groups to benefit.
The Jo Walters Trust was set up in memory of a teacher who was killed when she was knocked off her bike by a van in Brighton in 2010.
The newly-qualified teacher, from Alford, was just 28 at the time of the tragic accident.
Relatives and friends set up the trust, which is now in its eighth year, with the aim of supporting causes the keen fundraiser would have embraced.
Each year, on what would have been Miss Walters’ birthday, the trust appeals for applications from north-east groups, and this year it handed out £11,000 to worthy causes.
Eight charities, made up of schools, community groups and activity centres, all received a share of this year’s pot.
Aberdeenshire charity the Outdoor Woodland Learning School CIC was given £2,000 to train staff in using horses in therapy for children with additional support needs.
The children the charity supports can sometimes be abusive towards school staff, their peers and their parents.
However their time outdoors relaxes them and helps them learn skills and help lessen their anxiety.
Aberdeen’s Transition Extreme Sports was given the same amount to run skatepark coaching sessions in local communities which are targeted at young people susceptible to taking part in antisocial behaviour.
A cash boost of £2,000 was given to 1st Kemnay Scouts, which is half the cost of a new marquee, to replace the existing one which has been in use since 1947 and is now too expensive to continue to repair.
Meanwhile, the trust awarded Aboyne Canoe Club £1,500 to pay for suitable equipment for young people to take part in their regular sessions and also their summer camps.
And Aboyne Academy received £1,000 to introduce a new course to help pupils learn new skills in cycle maintenance and riding skills.
Meanwhile, Gordon Schools in Huntly will now be able to purchase the necessary safety equipment to allow it to re-open its climbing wall.
Banchory Academy was given £500 to help create space for outdoor learning, cooking, and growing fruit and vegetables, as well as a wildlife garden.
The work the pupils will undertake as part of this project will help them towards their John Muir Award and RSPB Wild Challenge.
And outdoor nursery Mucky Boots, based in Kirkton of Maryculter Woods, was given £1,000 to pay for staff training.
Lucy Johnston, Miss Walter’s sister and the trust chairwoman, said: “The wonderful thing was that due to some very generous and unexpected donations and fundraising throughout this year we were able to almost double the amount of money we had on offer, from £6,000 to a record £11,000. This meant that instead of supporting just three projects, we were able to support eight Aberdeenshire outdoor education projects.”
For more information contact lucy@jowalterstrust.org.uk or 07752 932274.
