A Moray football coach has won a business award after launching a project to help underprivileged children get involved in the sport.
Gary Souter launched his firm Kitstart to level the financial playing field for young footballers.
The Elgin businessman aims to provide second-hand kit for children on a pay-what-you-can basis to ensure it is affordable.
Now Mr Souter, who is a HNC coaching and developing sport student at Moray College UHI, has won the best social impact business prize at the Create Awards run by the Highlands and Islands Centre for Enterprise and Innovation.
He said: “So many children will miss out on organised football opportunities because of the escalated costs associated with participation.
“I remember how difficult it was for my parents and then for myself, keeping up with the financial demands of the game – constantly growing out of boots, having to buy pairs to suit all the different surfaces.
“Anything that can be done to help reduce these costs is a good thing and that’s what inspired me to pursue this project.”
During his Moray College UHI course Mr Souter is running football sessions in the community to help establish his Kitstart programme.
The top prize from the awards was won by Alison Ruickbie, from Elgin, following the opening of her zero waste shop Re:Store in Lossiemouth in October last year.
