More than 220 arts, sports and community groups across Scotland are sharing in a National Lottery cash boost of £1,570,035.
Across the north-east and Highlands, funding will go towards sporting opportunities for young people in Aberdeen, bolstering the Hebridean Pride parade efforts, setting up a festival to celebrate Lossiemouth’s fishing heritage in Moray and providing new tools, machinery and IT equipment for a men’s shed in Inverness.
In Aberdeen, the Denis Law Legacy Trust has received £7,000.
Mark Williams, chief operating officer of the trust said: “We are delighted to receive this Awards for All grant and are very grateful to the National Lottery and SportScotland.
“The funding will be used to help supply brand new sports equipment which are loved by our young participants across Aberdeen, such as football rings and inflatable pitches.
“It’s great to partner with like-minded funders who are as keen to help make a positive difference to young people as we are ourselves and we can’t wait for youngsters in the city to reap the benefits”.
An award of £9,790 means that Elgin Amateur Athletic Club can celebrate its 50th birthday in style by taking athletes to training camps in athletic venues across Scotland to use their facilities.
The club will also be able to organise a series of events later in the year for the wider community to join in the celebrations.
Scott Hamilton, head coach and chairman of the club, said: “We have nearly 100 members with 40 competing regularly at a high level. These camps will provide them with the skills and experience they need to take it to the next level.”
Foss Foster, of the Aberdenshire Saxophone Orchestra, is also celebrating after receiving £7,000.
She said she was “delighted” and that the money will go towards developing a group and opening up more sessions to people across the region.
Last night, Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett, who has supported the charity, added: They will be able to do a lot for the community with this lottery cash.
“It will be used to help under-16s and those in full-time education play in an orchestra for free. The all-ages approach has been shown to help young people stay engaged with music once they have left school.”
National Lottery Awards for All Scotland distributes grants of between £300 and £10,000 to local groups.
