Council awards £90,000 to area’s clubs and groups

Amateur swimming clubs, climate friendly action groups, outdoor activities and community gardens and woodlands are set to get funding help.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund received nearly 100 applications from voluntary, charities and social enterprises which have shared a total of £90,000.

Among the beneficiaries were Artmap Argyll; Bendoran Watersports CIC; Oban Mod Academy; Lorn and Oban Healthy Options, and Mull and Iona Community Trust.

In addition funding has gone to North West Mull Community Woodland; Oban and District Access Panel; Oban Men’s Shed; Ross of Mull and Iona Community Transport; Seil and Easdale Community Council and Tiree Community Council, among others.

Councillor Mary-Jean Devon, policy lead for support services at the authority, said: ‘This has been an incredibly challenging time for charities and community groups which work tirelessly to provide services and community facilities to people across Argyll and Bute.

‘The pandemic has had an impact on fundraising for many of the groups.

‘We are delighted to award a range of projects from helping our most vulnerable residents to nurturing our youngest and helping to protect future generations. We are so impressed by the dedication and commitment of the people making a huge different to the area.’

The council’s community planning and development team manages the fund and provides guidance for additional funding sources.

It includes a monthly funding update issued to all community groups and a link to GrantNet, an online funding tool.