Lismore playpark plan wants bags of help

LISMORE Community Trust is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to community projects.

Greenspace Scotland is working with Groundwork to provide support to communities in Scotland.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant. Lismore Community Trust is one of the groups on the shortlist.

The project entails the creation of both a new playpark adjacent to the school in Achnacroish, and an all-weather pitch for ball games. It has been developed by the parent coun- cil, and the project has been a long-held ambition for those with younger children within the community.

‘It’s a great project all round,’ said Mary Walker of the parent council and community trust. ‘It’s a real boost for the children, and a chance to offer all youngsters opportunities that they haven’t had before. We really hope everyone will assist us realise our ambitions for the young on the island.’

Voting is open in stores throughout May and June. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them in store.

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already delivered more than £28.5 million to more than 4,000 projects up and down the UK.

Tony McElroy, from Tesco, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to open the voting for May and June. There are some fantastic projects on the shortlists.’