Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has welcomed £78,099 Big Lottery Funding for ten projects in his constituency.

Awards for All is the National Lottery’s small grants scheme which awards grass-roots community groups and voluntary organisations that make a big difference to peoples’ lives. Of 381 projects across Scotland, ten are in Mr Thompson’s constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. Half of the groups which are benefiting from the funding are primary schools, including Portree, Lochaline, Tomnacross, Resolis and Aviemore. Of the remainder, Portree Nursery, Isle of Skye Univeristy of the Third Age, Duror and Kentallen Community Council and Strathaird Community Association will also benefit from the funding. The projects are diverse (see comprehensive list below).

Mr Thompson said, “For so many projects in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch to be in receipt of funding is indicative of the number of people who are investing their time and energy in excellent causes. The Big Lottery Fund applies strict criteria to each grant application so each of these projects can be commended for their efficiency, effectiveness and purpose. We have good reason to be proud!

“I hope that this money will help each project to achieve the aims for which it was given, and that this will improve the lives of people in each community represented."

Notes:

Portree Primary School Parent Council has recently received a £10000 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Portree Primary School Parent Council, based on the Isle of Skye, will improve opportunities for pupils' outdoor play, by installing equipment and safety surfacing in the school's playground. The project meets the Awards for All outcome of 'people and communities are healthier'. This grant for £10,000 will contribute towards the supply, delivery and installation of a trim trail, play train, octagonal pavilion and safety surfacing.

Lochaline Primary School Parent Council has recently received a £10000 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Lochaline Primary School Parent Council in Morvern, Lochaber will provide sports and IT equipment to enable school pupils and members of the local community to participate in tennis and IT activities.  The project fits with outcomes 'People have better and more sustainable services and environments' and 'People and communities are healthier'.

Tomnacross Primary School has recently received a £9375 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Tomnacross Primary School, by Beauly in Highland will install an outdoor learning shelter/classroom and traverse wall. The project meets the Awards for All outcome of 'People have better chances in life'. This grant for £9375 will fund the purchase of the structure and traverse wall panels with holds and fixings.

Isle of Skye University of the Third Age has recently received a £6772 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Isle of Skye University of the Third Age, based in the village of Glendale, will purchase IT and technical equipment, so as to provide classes, demonstrations and talks for older people living on the island. The group will also offer IT skills sessions, so as to encourage the beneficiaries to use modern technology. The project meets the Awards for All outcome of 'People have better chances in life'. The grant for £6,772 will fund HP Officejet, projector, tripod scree, video camera, Adobe Photoshop (5), Microsoft Office, HP ProBook (5), support package (5), carrying case (5), mouse (5), memory stick (5), laser pointer, stereo speaker, cable protectors (18), publicity and marketing, and VAT.

Inverness Rowing Club has recently received a £7000 Awards for All grant from SportScotland.

Inverness Rowing Club will purchase new boats, so as to provide its members with more opportunities to row. The project will give the beneficiaries better quality facilities, in which to train and develop their skills. The project meets the Awards for All outcome of 'People and communities are healthier'. The grant for £7000 will fund Wintech single scull, and Wintech double scull.

Portree Nursery Limited has recently received a £10000 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Portree Nursery, Skye, will develop their outdoor soft play area in order to encourage outdoor play and physical activity amongst pre-school children. This project will meet the Awards for All outcome of 'people and communities are healthier'. This grant for £10,000 will contribute towards the resurfacing of Portree Nursery's outdoor play area with 'Billy Bounce' soft play material.

Resolis Primary School has recently received a £7463 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Resolis Primary School will build and install a traverse wall for all pupils to use. The project meets the Awards for All outcomes 'People have better chances in life' and 'People and communities are healthier'. This grant for £7463 will fund the purchase and installation of a traverse wall.

Aviemore Primary School has recently received a £6,930 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund

Aviemore Primary School is located in the Highlands and is attended by mainstream pupils as well as pupils with additional support needs. The school will use the grant to deliver a programme of art therapy to the pupils in its Rainbow Class who have complex learning needs. The project meets the Awards For All outcome 'People have better chances in life' and 'People and communities are healthier'. This grant for £6,930 will pay for a sessional art therapist, and materials.

Strathaird Community Association has recently received a £10000 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Strathaird Community Association, based in Elgol, Isle of Skye, will employ specialist consultants to carry out a design study into the installation of a small hydro electric power (HEP) turbine in the village of Elgol. The project aims to help reduce CO2 emissions and provide a source of sustainable energy and income for this small community. The project meets the Awards for All outcome 'People have better and more sustainable services and environments'. The grant for £10,000 will part fund a design study and permissions for HEP in Elgol.

Duror and Kentallen Community Council has recently received a £559 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Duror and Kentallen Community Council in the western Scottish Highlands will purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the benefit of these two rural villages. The group will place the AED at the local community hall, so it will be accessible to all residents. The project meets the Awards for All outcome of 'People have better and more sustainable services and environments'. The grant for £559 will fund automated external defibrillator (AED), holding cabinet and installation of electrical supply of cabinet.