Project to grow after cash boost

An after- school service for youngsters with learning disabilities has received a grant of nearly £24,000.

The Rascals project, run by Enable Scotland, received the funding from Chance to Flourish, one of four charities supported by the Scottish Children’s Lottery.

Rascals, which is the only service of its kind in Lanarkshire, will use the windfall to extend its provision during the summer holidays and October school break.

Gartcosh mum Jacqueline Foy recently told the Advertiser how the project benefits her eight-year-old son Patrick.

She said last month: “It’s his recreation and his time to be with other children his age.

“It’s fundamentally important as he’s in an environment which works for him, and he’s happy and safe. It has transformed our world.”

Enable chief executive Theresa Shearer said: “There are more than 15,000 school-aged children in Scotland who have a learning disability, many of whom face barriers to accessing activities and clubs outside school.

“When the families who use Rascals told us that they really needed additional support for their children over the school holidays, we were determined to make this a reality, and we’d like to thank the Scottish Children’s Lottery and Chance to Flourish for this incredible funding.”