South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news that nearly £1.5 million of grants have been awarded to 6 organisations across the South of Scotland.

A total of £1,456,895 has been secured from the National Lottery after organisations applied to Big Lottery Fund Scotland.

The 6 organisations:

• Partners For Inclusion has recently received a £148,872 National Lottery grant.
• Lanarkshire Epilepsy Support Group has recently received a £89,852National Lottery grant.
• East Lothian Special Needs Playscheme has recently received a £122,399National Lottery grant.
• Peeblesshire Youth Trust has recently received a £97,000 National Lottery grant.
• The Glenkens Community and Arts Trust Limited has recently received a£148,772 National Lottery grant.
• Kirkcudbright Development Trust has recently received a £850,000National Lottery grant.

Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focused on distributing National Lottery Good Cause funding to help people and communities most in need throughout Scotland. This is through its five-year £250m main funding scheme as well as through its small grants scheme, Awards for All Scotland.

Colin Smyth MSP said:

“It is fantastic to see so many projects across the South of Scotland receive support from the National Lottery. These organisations do an enormous about ofpositive work in our communities and with additional funds available will now be able to expand and grow their operations”.

“The grant of £850,000 for Kirkcudbright Development Trust in particular is a significant investment that will support the delivery of a viable future for Johnston Primary. This will really help take the whole Kirkcudbright Charter forward and match the investment the council are making in the new Kirkcudbright Art Gallery. Hopefully, this will mean local community groups will be able to benefit from a refurbished Johnston Primary in the next few years”.

“I’m delighted to see that the grant the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust will receive will be targeted at ensuring that older people, carers, disabled people and families on low incomes are able to benefit from the range of activities the trust is providing in the New Galloway, Dalry and Balmaclellan area.”

“All the Groups involved should be congratulated in helping bring significant investment into the area”.

Announcing the grants, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said:

“Thanks to National Lottery players, this £9.6 million investment will reach into communities across Scotland and transform the lives of local people. Each of these inspiring projects will assist people at the times when they need most support, providing them with the tools, confidence and skills to work towards a more positive future”.<