Community groups share £ 696,000

A motorcycle group which transports vital medical supplies and an island book festival are among the organisations sharing more than £696,000 of lottery money.

Ninety-two arts, sports and community projects across the country are benefiting from a share of the cash awarded by National Lottery Awards for All Scotland.

Among them is Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes, which transport s blood products, samples and medical equipment outside office hours. The charity has been awarded £10,000, which means it can buy two new motorbikes to replace older models.

Dave Hook, the charity’ s chairman, said :“We are so pleased to receive this support from the National Lottery.”