Fund opened up to help during pandemic

A local wind farm community fund is to share a £3000 grant among three community groups supporting their villages during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Kype Muir Community Panel (KMCP) annually awards over £138,000 in community funding to groups within 10 kilometres of the 26-turbine development.

Along with the family-owned business behind the wind farm, Banks Renewables, the KMCP has chosen to direct £1000 to each community group assisting local groups to cope with coronavirus and its effects.

This will see Stonehouse Coronavirus Community Support Group, the Strathaven Community Council and Lesmahagow Community Council each receive the funding to support their efforts in areas such as providing much needed supplies to local food banks and linking volunteers with vulnerable residents in need of food and essential supplies, prescriptions and tackling social isolation.

George Smith, chair of the KMCP said:“We see people come together in times of crisis and the work the support groups are carrying out for vulnerable people across South Lanarkshire is commendable.

“Through the Kype Muir Community Fund we are able to provide support to our local communities, and in this time of uncertainty and crisis, it has never been more important that we offer this support to provide invaluable help for our local, vulnerable residents.”

The community fund is a direct result of the successful partnership between the local communities, Banks Renewables and South Lanarkshire Council in order to maximise the local investment from the Kype Muir wind farm.