Big Lottery Fund
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Sport and physical activity boost for Scottish communities

People across Scotland are taking inspiration from next week’s Commonwealth Games to increase their levels of sporting and physical activity thanks to National Lottery funding announced today (15 JULY).

The 149 grants from the Big Lottery fund’s 2014 Communities programme will see people, young and old, try out new activities, boost their skills and even train to become sporting stars of the future.

A full list of grants is available here

Announcing the funding totalling £257,977, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn said, “Whatever age we are, it’s never too late to take up a new physical activity. Today we are awarding over £260,000 to projects across Scotland which will enable people to try something different, learn new skills and perhaps make new friendships as well. With the Commonwealth Games just one week away, I am delighted that more people will now have the opportunity to play their own part in the legacy of the Glasgow Games.”

People across Scotland are being invited to attend a Mountain Safety Day in Stirling this coming October where they will learn more about the benefits of hill walking.  Thanks to an award of £2,000, charity Mountain Aid will bring together mountaineering and outdoor organisations such as hill walking groups, mountain rescue and mapping specialists to share their skills and knowledge with the public. It is hoped that the event will encourage more people to take part in hill walking, which is a fantastic form of regular exercise.

Young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are to benefit from swimming lessons thanks to an award of £2,000. Perth Autism Support will provide the lessons for young people aged between three and 16, twice a week. Swimming instructors, trained in autism awareness, will deliver the classes which will also be supported by trained volunteers. The lessons will begin in August 2014.

DJ Sports Coaching Ltd will deliver a range of sporting activities targeting some of the most disadvantaged areas of North Lanarkshire, thanks to an award of £1,994. The group uses sport as a vehicle to develop life skills such as self-esteem, discipline, confidence, respect, and team work. They will start up new sessions in activities such as mountain biking, football and multi sports within areas of Gowkthrapple; Wishaw; Newarthill; Motherwell and Airdrie.

Budding young female footballers aged between three and nine from Port Seton, East Lothian receive a welcome boost of £1,998. Cockenzie Star Development Squad receives the cash to purchase new goals, bibs and training equipment which means that the team can now develop their skills and arrange games at their home ground.

2014 Communities from the Big Lottery Fund is providing National Lottery funding and supporting the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, by encouraging people to take part or volunteer in sport or physical activity or use sport as a way to bring together people from different generations.

The Big Lottery Fund has pledged up to £11 million in National Lottery funds to ensureGlasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have a positive and lasting impact across the whole country. These multi-million funds are available through a number of schemes including 2014 Communities, the joint distributor programme Celebrate and the Legacy 2014 Volunteer Support Programme.

For more press or media information contact
Landa Rolland, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Press Office 0141 242 1458
landa.rolland@biglotteryfund.org.uk

For more information about 2014 Communities or the Big Lottery Fund please 
Go to our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland
Call: 0300 123 7110 
email: enquiries.scotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk or go to our websitewww.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to editors

  • 2014 Communities is a micro grants programme, offering local sports clubs, voluntary and community organisations, community councils and schools grants of £300 to £2,000 to support and stimulate grass roots involvement in sport and physical activity.  
  • 2014 Communities is about building a legacy of well-being before and beyond the Commonwealth Games. The programme aims to encourage more people to take part or volunteer in sport or physical activity as well as encourage greater community cohesion in the run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
  • The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
  • The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
  • In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was returned to the Good Causes. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded.
Channel website: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/

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