Projects in bid to win lottery funding

A project in the Highlands is bidding to win £70,000 of National Lottery funding – but it needs your help.

The Highland Cycle Ability Centre in Nairn is one of 15 groups in Scotland in the running for a slice of almost £700,000 of the People’s Projects funding.

The People’s Projects not only delivers vital grants to the heart of the UK communities, but also raises awareness of the incredible work of the 95 shortlisted community groups.

The three projects with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £70,000. Runners-up will be offered up to £10,000 towards their project.

If Highland Cycle Ability Centre wins, the group will use their share of the cash to provide cycling opportunities to young people and adults with a range of access needs.

The charity has been running an open-air track giving children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities the opportunity to race and ride bikes in a safe environment.

Often speciallyadapted bikes are needed to help people with complex needs get the benefits of cycling.

If the group wins, they will be able to provide supervised rides on specially adapted bikes, trikes, tandems or running bikes – making cycling accessible to all.

Brian Mavin, general manager at the Highland Cycle Ability Centre, said: “If we win, our project will make a real difference to our local community by bringing cycling to the disabled.

“We now need local people to get behind us, to show their support and vote.”

Voting closes at noon on Friday May 26 and votes can be cast online.