Community groups enjoy cash boost in Dumfries and Galloway

dailyrecord.co.uk:

There has been a surge in applications for a festive cash boost for Dumfries and Galloway organisations “in crisis” tackling the cost of living.Round three of the Community Led Local Development Fund saw a total of 103 groups asking for just under £2.2million – with the cash pot just £407,015.The challenging task of picking those they could help was down to a local action group of representatives from the third, public, and private sectors, supported by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.Harry Harbottle, chairman of the LAG, said they were pleased to be able to offer the grants to 34 grateful organisations across the region but wished it could have been more.

He said: “Unfortunately, the fund was seriously oversubscribed meaning that we could not help all the deserving causes. “We are hoping that this fund will be continued next year at a level more commensurate with the need we see across Dumfries and Galloway. “We will continue to lobby government to make that happen.”Speaking of the ones who will be getting an early Christmas present to help with the vital work they are doing, he said: “Many of these groups, mostly run by volunteers who are champions in their own communities, are in crisis dealing with vulnerable people suffering the harsh effect of our economic situation.”He added: “A good few of these grants were for under £10,000 illustrating that, even with relatively small amounts of money, we can make a big difference and demonstrate value for money with the public purse.”Through partnership working with the LAG members, eight unsuccessful applicants have been linked in with the Employability, Skills and Partnership Team at Dumfries and Galloway Council to discuss funding their employability projects.The fund