Final round of Glasgow 2014 legacy fund awards made

A dozen groups in Scotland are to receive a share of £250,000 to help develop sports facilities for use by their local communities.

The money comes from the £1 million Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund, one of 59 national legacy programmes from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A partnership between the Scottish Government and The Robertson Trust, tyhe fund is designed to support sport-related social enterprises, enabling them to become sustainable in the long run and help people become more physically active.

Awards ranged from just over £12,000 up to £25,000 with groups the length of the country awarded.

Beneficiaries include Fabb Scotland, a national organisation working to increase access to sport, leisure and outdoor adventure for disabled young people.

This funding will enable us to take ownership and develop a unique facility in the heart of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

It will receive £24,700 to support its work in scoping plans for a new residential outdoor centre and independent living apartments in Callander which would allow it to offer a broader range of services.

Fiona Hind, chief executive of Fabb Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to receive this funding which will enable us to take ownership and develop a unique facility in the heart of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

“We are excited at the prospect of developing a sustainable sports social enterprise that will benefit the community and create a legacy for young people for years to come.”

Other organisations receiving funding today include Active Bellshill which will receive £14,000 for the planning of a new sports hub, the Comrie Development Trust which will receive £15,000 to carry out a study into local sports and recreational needs, and Scottish Athletics which will receive £25,000 to look at how it can increase community engagement through its clubs.

Alastair Davis, chief executive of Social Investment Scotland which administers the fund, said: “Each of the organisations receiving funding today has the potential to promote social inclusion and cohesion in their communities and across Scotland through sport.

“They have also each presented a compelling business case for how their plans can help them become financially sustainable, ensuring this fund can leave a legacy of community benefit for years to come.”

Kenneth Ferguson, director of The Robertson Trust, added: “Sport can provide a range of positive benefits for individuals and communities. We are delighted to be able to use this Legacy 2014 programme to support organisations across Scotland which are helping to enhance the lives of the people they work with through sport.”

The 12 groups, made up the final round of funding, are added to 21 projects who had already received an award.