Cash boost for stroke club Shopping centredonation
NICOLA FINDLAY
An East Kilbride charity that helps stroke survivors with their rehabilitation has been given a funding boost.
The Pals Plus Stroke Club will use the £500 award from shopping centre EK, East Kilbride’s Community Fund to help organise additional outings for the more than 30 members who rely on the charity.
Launched 15 years ago, Pals Plus provides a free follow on support service for stroke patients who have been discharged from Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride and is run by a team of six dedicated volunteers.
Stroke survivor, Alan Kelly, who has been a volunteer at Pals Plus for eight years, was thrilled with the donation and said: “This is great news.
“Survivors of a stroke can lose confidence and become isolated so we provide a friendly environment for these individuals to meet up with other like-minded people to share experiences and support one another.
“Although we will use part of the award on our away days, we also hope to use some funds for a new ‘lift and drop’ transport initiative that will help our members get to the club’s weekly sessions at Westwood Hall.”
Ian McLelland, Centre Director at EK, East Kilbride, said: “Alan and his fellow volunteers do a fantastic job.
“We are pleased that the centre’s Community Fund has been able to provide some support, and hope that the award may help to raise awareness of the charity’s work to other funding bodies.”
The Community Fund is part of EK East Kilbride’s Helping Hands programme.
Anyone looking for funding can log on to www.eklife.co.uk or pick up an application form from the customer service desk in Centre West.