Curlers looking cool thanks to £8k grant
Avondale Curling Club received new uniforms thanks to an £8390 grant from a leading renewable energy firm.
They have been able to purchase 55 jackets to keep the team looking smart thanks to OnPath Energy, formerly Banks Renewables.
The club picked up the cash from the firm’s Kype Muir Community Fund, with funds also being used to purchase training equipment.
Christine Hall, assistant secretary at Avondale Curling Club said: “We had very old-fashioned and not very warm woollen jumpers that we had been using for a long time, and they just weren’t suitable for our team any more, as well as not giving us much of an identity.
“Now, everybody feels so proud to wear the new jackets and they look fantastic. It’s encouraged people to play more with us because they look the part, and it’s boosted our confidence when we are heading into competitive games.
“We were competing against more and more clubs who were wearing soft-shell jackets that were giving them warmth, as well as a strong club identity. Not only do our jackets look the part, but they do a great job of keeping our team warm, helping us to play better.
“It wouldn’t have been possible to purchase the jackets outright without the support of OnPath Energy. Their team was great to deal with and the club has benefitted from the funding from the KMCP fund.”
Avondale Curling Club have been in existence for more than 100 years and currently boasts more than 100 members – with ages ranging from 11 to 93 years of age.
The club is a vital social hub for Avondale residents as the huge age range and accessibility of the sport have meant that all generations can get involved and socialise with one another – helping to eradicate loneliness, especially for older club members.
The Kype Muir Community Panel (KMCP), has provided financial support to the project. They have been supporting local causes since 2019, with the decision-making led by the KMCP, which is formed of local community councils.
The fund is designed to offer support to community groups, voluntary associations, and local communities near the Kype Muir Wind Farm.
Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager at OnPath Energy added: “It’s always a rewarding experience to be able to support vital local bodies such as the Avondale Curling Club.
“The club has such deep roots within the community, with more than 100 years of history binding generations of members together through an iconic Scottish pastime.
“This is another example of what our KMCP fund seeks to do, which is to provide meaningful support and ultimately uplift the communities we operate in. We take immense pride in investments like this.”