£9.6 million National Lottery windfall for Scottish communities

20 Jun 2017 12:22 PM

The National Lottery is helping to change thousands of lives across Scotland as 50 groups across the country receive a cash boost totalling £9,603,294.

The funding from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland comes from its £250 million pot to support people and communities to overcome challenging circumstances. (See a full list of awards)

Here are some examples of what has been funded across the country:

• From their base in North Berwick, East Lothian Special Needs Playscheme will use their £122,399 award to run a specialist playscheme for children aged 5-16 with severe and complex needs.
• Kirkcudbright Development Trust will be able to transform a former primary school in the town into a community hub thanks to an award of £850k.
• An award of £146,988 to Moogety Foods Ltd, based in Glasgow, will bring the community together through a programme of activities focussing on growing, cooking and eating healthy food.
• Thanks to an award of £600k, the Fair Isle Electricity Company will be able to install a new renewable energy system meaning the island will have a reliable 24 hour power supply for the first time.

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.”

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1451
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGSCOTLAND #BIGScotland
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Notes to Editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• The Big Lottery Fund Scotland is focussed on helping people and communities most in need throughout Scotland through its five-year £250m funding scheme as well as small grants schemes Awards for All and Investing in Ideas.
• Since March 2007 Big Lottery Fund Scotland has taken devolved decisions on Lottery spending, the Committee, led by Chair, Maureen McGinn plays a strategic role in the future direction of the Fund in Scotland.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £8 billion to projects across the UK that change the lives of millions of people. Every year we fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £35 billion has been raised and more than 490,000 grants awarded.