Charity is up for eco award

Group is taking giant LEAP forward

A charity with a base in Hamilton has been shortlisted in the second Climate Challenge Fund Awards.

The Lightburn Elderly Association Project (LEAP) has been nominated in the awards, organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of the Scottish Government.

And the project offers a range of services for older people throughout South Lanarkshire, including in Hamilton, Blantyre, Bothwell, Stonehouse and Uddingston. These include befriending and handyperson services, and learning and leisure services.

LEAP also operates the R:evolve Recyle upcycling shop on Hamilton’s Cadzow Street.

The awards, which will take place at Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday, December 12, will recognise the work undertaken by groups supported by the Climate Challenge Fund to tackle climate change in their communities.

The Climate Challenge Fund is a grants programme, managed and administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, which provides funding and support for community groups to tackle climate change through community-led projects.

LEAP expanded into the area a number of years ago. It consists of a befriending and handyperson service. Befrienders offer short- or long-term companionship to older people who might be feeling lonely or isolated, while the handyperson service gives free practical assistance with small jobs and tasks around the home such as changing light bulbs, curtains and washing inside windows.

If you think you might benefit from LEAP’S handyperson or befriending service, or you know someone who would, then call 0141 641 5169.

Tom Brock, charity trustee at Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “We were delighted to receive 60 nominations for the swards and look forward to the ceremony which will showcase the outstanding work that communities across Scotland are undertaking to help tackle the very important issue of climate change.”