SEVEN cash strapped Renfrewshire community groups have been given a vital £134,382 lottery funding boost.
The biggest beneficiary of the payout is the Kibble Education and Care Centre in Paisley which looks after children aged 12 to 18 from troubled backgrounds.
Their award of £85,983 will be used to help up to 50 teenagers adapt to life on the outside and independent living.
Johnstone-based Always Included which supports families with autism has been given £7,940 to help them with rent payments and to provide toys and games.
Another group I am Me Scotland have received £9,946 to promote their online anti hate crime initiative.
Pachedu which supports people in Renfrewshire from black, asian and minority backgrounds were awarded £9,950.
Walking Tours on Wheels who do guided tours of Renfrewshire received £4,080 for office costs and to advertise and promote their tours.
Own Yer Bike were given £9,750 for their upcycling programme which encourages people to take up cycling and renovate old bikes.
The Inspiring Families Development Network Scotland (Infadens) was awarded £6,733 to help disadvantaged families access the internet.
In a separate award Alzheimer Scotland were given £47,976 of funding to provide support to people with dementia and their carers in Paisley and Glasgow.
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s Chief Executive said: “While we haven’t yet been able to recommence our groups and activities as a result of current restrictions, we are confident this will happen in the very near future.
“We are immensely looking forward to being able to safely deliver face-to-face support for people with dementia.”
The Renfrewshire funding is part of £5.5m awarded to 257 projects across Scotland.
Kate Still, chair of The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, said: “In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that money they raise by buying tickets is continuing to make such a difference.”
“Our players raise £30 million every week for good causes in the UK.
“Since June 2004, 200,000 grants of more £9billion have been awarded.”
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