Lottery grants bring cheer to charities
Delight for two groups
Two groups from Rutherglen are celebrating after receiving thousands of pounds in the latest round of National Lottery funding.
Camglen Buddies received a £9,100 grant and Rutherglen Community Carers was awarded £3,100.
The buddies group, which aims to reduce isolation for individuals with learning difficulties, will use the money to cover running costs for the next 12 months as well buy new equipment.
Siobhan Harkins from the charity said: “We are looking to order some new games, an X-box and a karaoke machine to improve the variety of things on offer at the club.
“We are over the moon to have received the award.”
Camglen Buddies’ 40 members meet every second Friday at the Harry Heaney Centre, where carers also meet and support one another.
Rutherglen Community Carers will use its share of the cash to develop its new weekly craft club.
Supporting people with early stage dementia, the craft club will be run every week throughout 2018 thanks to the cash boost.
Michelle Woods, project manager at the carers group, said: “It was a worry for us not having the funding in place, so it’s a great bonus that we are able to continue.
“Alison Cameron, who runs the group, also runs the early diagnosis dementia group so she has the skills to cater to our members. The club is really successful, it’s a great atmosphere and the ladies who attend love it.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey submitted two motions at the Scottish Parliament congratulating both groups on their success.
She said: “The groups do incredible work in Rutherglen, and each play huge roles in the lives of my constituents who use their services.
“I’ve met with both organisations already this year, and I look forward to seeing them again in the near future to hear about their exciting plans in spending their grants.”