Boost for groups who go the extra mile

Two Stirling-based organisations have received a funding boost.

Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau and British Trust for Ornithology Scotland have each received £5,000 through Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards.

The cash was handed over at a ceremony in Glasgow to recognise charities and not-forprofit organisations that are going the extra mile in their work.

They were among 15 community groups across Scotland to share £80,000 handed out by the Clydesdale Bank.

A spokesman said both community groups have shown commitment to improving the lives of people in Scotland.

Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau help people with a variety of issues such as benefits claims, help with accessing computers, money budgeting, housing and employment.

The British Trust Ornithology Scotland, which has headquarters at Stirling University’s biological and environmental science department, has been coordinating the collection of information about birds and other wildlife across the UK for more than 80 years.

High-quality, long-term data sets alert them to changes and declines and are relied upon by conservationists, decisionmakers and many others concerned with environmental protection.

They bring together people from all walks of life to contribute to the understanding of nature and continue to develop their network of survey volunteers in order to advance collective knowledge of wildlife.

Now in its sixth year, the Spirit of the Community Awards recognises charities and not-for-profit organisations for the invaluable contributions they make to their local communities.

Debbie Crosbie, Group Chief Operating Officer at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks and chair of the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, said:“The help and support these organisations continue to provide their local communities is invaluable. Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards is not only our way to thank these incredible community groups, but also to recognise and support the vital contributions they make to our societies.”

Stirling Council received grant from the Cycle Friendly Development Fund in 2009 and Stirling University benefited last year.

Cash boost Fergus Murphy and Helen Page, both of the Clydesdale flanking Ben Darvill and Zul Bhatia from British Trust for Ornithology

Award Between Clydesdale pair Helen Page and Fergus Murphy are Jim Roche and Alex Mitchell from Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau