SmithwinsBagsof Help£3,500boost
Bosses at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum have bagged £3,500 towards building improvements to safeguard its collection.
The money was handed over after the Smith came first in the Tesco Bags of Help blue token vote. Under the scheme , grants from the proceeds of carrier bag sales in Tesco stores are awarded to fund community projects.
Alan Wilson has worked as a volunteer at the Smith on Tuesdays for the past seven years. He said: “The museum urgently needed protection for light – sensitive treasures such as the 1742 wedding dress and the 1746 Siege of Stirling fan, so I applied for Tesco Bags of Help.
“The funding enabled the painting of the long glass ceiling to exclude the daylight. We wish to thank all local shoppers who voted for us, and to invite them to see the difference they have made. Admission and parking at the Smith are free.”
Funding from £1,000 to £4,000 is available, for both outdoor and indoor projects. Three community projects in each region are voted on by Tesco customers every time they shop, using a blue token given to them at the checkout. Projects to be voted on change every two months.
Community groups, schools and charities can apply for funding and Tesco customers and colleagues can nominate projects. Six projects are successful every two months in the Stirling area – three in the Stirling and Bridge of Allan stores, and a different three in the Dunblane and Callander stores. Applications are made by filling in an online application form – ask in store or go to www.tesco.com/ bagsofhelp.