Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Cash boost for group base
Time to celebrate funding
Members of Airdrie’s Parkinson’s self- help group had thousands of extra-special reasons to celebrate as they marked the organisation’s 29th anniversary.
The group has been awarded £61,030 from the Big Lottery Fund to help continue with provision of respite activities for people with the neurological condition and their families.
It will be used to fund the running costs of the group’s base at Weavers’ Cottages in Airdrie town centre over the next two years, and will help to continue and expand its busy programme of support, ranging from complementary therapies to social activities.
News of the lottery funding was announced yesterday – just after the group had hosted their annual celebration to mark its long- running contribution to Monklands residents with Parkinson’s.
Centre co- ordinator Ruby Armstrong told the Advertiser: “It’s an outstanding boost for us – to be given this sum and for it to be over two years gives the organisation stability and it’s great that funders are putting their faith in us.
“The group helps people and gives support with the effects of the illness; it’s very good for helping people through problems and the funding will have a great impact on that.”
Big Lottery Scotland chair Maureen McGinn added: “I wish the Parkinson’s self-help group every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project for the benefit of the community; the funding will make a big difference where it is needed most.”
The Airdrie group’s funding boost is among 17 community projects across Scotland sharing a total lottery payout of £ 4.3 million.
Group members also gathered at the Fourways for a celebration meal to mark the 29 years since it was first founded and the group’s impressive progress since then.
The Parkinson’s self-help group was established by Coatbridge couple Grace and Tommy Crow, who used the Advertiser back in 1989 to invite other people who had Parkinson’s like Tommy to come together for support and social activities.
It began with monthly meetings at Alexandra resource centre, moving on to Gartlea community centre and now, for the past 15 years, being open five days per week at its busy home in Airdrie town centre.
The Airdrie group now has 90 members, with almost half attending the celebration lunch; and Ruby added: “Every year in the voluntary sector is something to celebrate, and it was a great event.”
Meanwhile, the Parkinson’s group will hold its winter fayre this Saturday, from 10am to 2pm at its Weavers’ Cottages base on Wellwynd.
Entry is free and stalls include Christmas gifts, baby goods, pet items, Avon stocking fillers, books and tombola; while visitors can also enjoy manicures, mini massages, tarot readings, home baking and a treasure hunt.