Caithness and Sutherland community projects share in £13m lottery win
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A series of community projects around Caithness and Sutherland are counting themselves lucky after winning funding awards through the National Lottery.
They are among 460 projects across Scotland which are today sharing in a £13 million payout.
The National Lottery Community Fund made the announcement on the day it launches its new UK wide strategy, It starts with community.
It aims to be seen as a leading funder of community-led activity from now until 2030.
Among the projects in the far north that have received funding in these awards are Brora Primary Parent Council, which received £7500 to purchase disability play equipment for the final phase of its playpark redevelopment.
Home-Start Caithness benefitted from a £9849 National Lottery Awards for All grant which will be used to recruit a part-time support worker for its perinatal support service, 10 hours per week for 12 months.
Creich, Croick and Kincardine District Day Care Association was awarded £7500 and will use the funding to offer a programme of inclusion activities and celebration events to residents, carers, and families over the course of the year.
Helmsdale Heritage and Arts Society received £7475. This project will use funding to continue running its youth programme for five to 17-year-olds, employing two part-time staff to deliver a range of creative and practical activities.
Lochinver Primary School Parent Council will use its £7500 award to purchase and install outdoor play educational equipment at the school for the benefit of the children in the community.
Rosehall Village Hall Committee will purchase essential kitchen equipment for the village hall with its award of £1500.
Sutherland Care Forum will expand its offering to local people by providing support with food and fuel thanks to an award of £7500.
Tongue and Melness Christmas Parties Committee has been awarded £1000, which it will use to take local children in the community to a Christmas pantomime.
Announcing the nationwide funding, Kate Still, Scotland chair, National Lottery Community Fund, said: “I am delighted to see £13 million of National Lottery funding going to projects where connections and community action are central to happier healthier lives.
"Today we launch our new UK wide strategy – It starts with community – which sets out our direction of travel and ambitions as a funder from now until 2030. We will increase focus and investment in creating lasting change that tackles inequality and most importantly improves lives for more people and communities across Scotland.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
