£160k for charity
West Lothian charities were celebrating Christmas coming early after receiving £160,000 to share.
The charities received the money from BLES Training, the former Blackburn-based charity which was forced to close its doors after 33 years.
BLES, who provided basic training skills for local youngsters, chose to donate their left over funds to other charities which benefit young people in West Lothian.
The single biggest beneficiary of the BLES disbursement was The Larder Cook School in Livingston, where youngsters are trained for employment in the hospitality sector.
Among the other groups to benefit from BLES funding were West Lothian Youth Action Project, The Bridge Community Project, West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service and West Lothian Foodbank.
BLES Training’s long association with Blackburn was also reflected in allocations to several local initiatives such as Blackburn Family Centre and Community Action Blackburn.
David McLennan, BLES chairman, said: “It’s a tragedy that BLES has been unable to survive cuts in funding that was our principal source of income.
“But how wonderful to have been able to turn our misfortune to the benefit of others. Principally these are charities like BLES who equip school leavers with employability training, and also voluntary bodies whose activities help and encourage young people across West Lothian.”
Speaking about the donation made to The Larder Cook School, Mr McLennan said: “They do impressive work and are a close fit to the BLES training ethos so hopefully the money will go some way to securing their future as a rucial youth training facility here in West Lothian.”