The ScotRail Foundation Fund will be awarding grants of between £500 and £5,000 from a £60,000 pot

A popular cultural and arts fund is more than doubled the size of its grants.

The ScotRail Foundation Fund will be awarding grants of between £500 and £5,000 from a £60,000 pot in support of the arts, children, community activities and sports.

Previously, the maximum award was £2,000.

Grants from the Cultural and Arts Fund are available to individuals and groups with an income of less than £100,000.

Those interested are encouraged to apply before the closing date of 29 October.

ScotRail employees can also benefit from the foundation’s £10,000 Employee Giving Fund.

Match funding of up to £250 can be awarded to employees when fundraising for their charities of choice.

Broughty Ferry YMCA has previously benefitted from a £1,925 grant to build a community secret garden, helping socially isolated older people build and maintain friendships.

In the Highlands, Men in Recovery, a charity supporting male survivors of sexual abuse, was awarded £2,000 to hold training sessions with healthcare workers.

James Ledgerwood, head community development at the ScotRail Alliance, said: “It’s fantastic to see the real difference that these grants are making to peoples’ lives across Scotland, and I’m delighted that we have been able to increase the size of the grants on offer.

“We know how important the railway is to the communities we serve, and we want to do all we can to strengthen and support that link.”