Perthshire North MSP Mr John Swinney has welcomed news that community organisations across Perthshire North have again benefited from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All. Three groups in Perthshire North have secured a total of £28,500.

Awards For All Scotland gives groups a chance to apply for a grant of between £500 and £10,000 for projects that aim to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. We will fund a range of projects which involve bringing local people together, helping people learn, improving local spaces and getting people more active.

Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust has recently received a £10000 Awards for All grant. This group are working with landowners, the community council and Mount Blair Development Trust to create a series of four new way markers paths in the countryside surrounding Kirkmichael. This grant will be used for path development.

The Ericht Trust Ltd has recently received a £10000 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund. This group will use the funding to carry out preliminary assessments into the development of a new Community, Heritage and Cultural Centre.

Forward Coupar Angus has recently received a £8500 Awards for All grant from Big Lottery Fund. This group will use the funding to stage a cycling festival in the town in July 2015.

Welcoming the news John Swinney said:

“This is excellent funding news for our communities which will help develop cultural and outdoor pursuits locally.

“This investment is crucial for the ability of local community organisations to deliver on their ambitions and objectives.

“I congratulate these groups for boosting their projects with their successful applications and I look forward to the improved outcomes this funding will deliver.”