A closure-threatened outdoor adventure charity has been given a £10,000 cash boost.
The National Lottery has awarded £9,451 to Outfit Moray based in Lossiemouth, after it emerged that it was struggling to find the funds to continue.
The charity has helped 14,000 children by running various outdoor activities since it launched more than 10 years ago.
Staff have been busy fundraising because the organisation needs to find £250,000 to continue operating this year.
Karen Cox, Outfit Moray’s community and corporate fundraiser, welcomed the cash injection but said there was still a long way to go.
She said: “We went into this financial year with a small deficit. We were at risk of running out of cash after it was revealed we had a significant shortfall last Christmas.
“This is a great start to the financial year, but it’s still a drop in the ocean as regards how much we still need to raise.
“We continue to fight on a daily basis.”
Ms Cox encouraged residents to support Outfit Moray by signing up for their commercial activities or taking part in community fundraising. The charity is organising many events, with raffle tickets being sold offering the chance to experience sitting in a RAF Lossiemouth flight simulator.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said it was vital for the social enterprise to stay open because it was great for the community.
He said: “I am aware that the group has been carrying out fundraising activities recently due to the fact that they were in a difficult situation with funding.
“So this announcement is very welcome news for them, especially at this time of year as they are gearing up for their summer programme.
“Outfit Moray is highly valued by the community, as not only do they help to promote sports and outdoor activities among young people, many of whom would not otherwise get the chance, they help instruct them in valuable skills and show them the real value of teamwork.”
To help Outfit Moray reach their fundraising goal, visit
outfitmoray.com/support/