Grants awarded to community groups

Awards totalling over £7,000 have been given to community groups in Helensburgh and Lomond.

The funding from Argyll and Bute Council’s third sector grants budget was agreed yesterday (Tuesday).

Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café received £520 to help with drama workshops as requested by young people wishing to perform to raise funds for the organisation, sailing courses so that they can compete in local regattas and skateboarding sessions.

And Garelochhead and Portincaple Community Trust was given £500 for consultation events including focus groups, door to door questionnaires and public open days, leading to a new action plan for the area.

Ardencaple Boys Club will receive £660 for first aid training, the Friends of Duchess Wood £400 for a woodland heritage course and Helensburgh Play Park Association £1,570 for new play equipment.

Riding for the Disabled Association’s Gareloch Group will receive the largest amount, £3,458 for insurance and livery costs for two horses along with competition entry fees, information/test sheets and transport costs.

And  the Helensburgh and district branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland will get £452 towards the cost of hosting a Remembrance Day parade including hospitality and contingency plans for wet weather.

Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee James Robb said: “These grants have been made to seven very worthy causes, each of which makes a valuable contribution to the local community.

“There are guidelines about how much can be awarded, but we are able to be flexible in special circumstances where there is a strong case. For example, we were able to provide one group with significantly more than the recommended amount after recognising there had been a material change.

“The grants are widely advertised and although this year’s budget of £35,000 has now been distributed, I would encourage local organisations to start preparing for next year.”