A housing developer has awarded a £1,000 grant to five good causes in the Musselburgh community.
The Dundas community fund – which had been extended to allow more time for deserving groups to apply – came to a close at the end of July.
Hollies Community Hub, Blue Triangle Housing Association, First Step Community Project, Changes East Lothian, and DadsWork were the chosen recipients, with each playing a vital role in the local area.
The roll out of the £5,000 fund came as the Livingston-based firm launched its 140-home Wireworks development in the town, forming part of its pledge to deliver lasting benefits to Musselburgh, in addition to contributions of up to £400,000 towards schooling and infrastructure.
Craig Fairfoull, head of sales and marketing at Dundas, said, “We were thrilled that the decision to extend the community fund resulted in four times the number of original applicants. It did, however, make the decision to choose just five recipients out of a strong, deserving and varied group of applicants that bit harder.
“It has been a real pleasure to learn about each of the applicants, their inspiring causes and their contributions to the local community – I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their interest in the fund and wish them every success in achieving their project’s endeavours. While it has been a challenging task, we are really pleased to be able to announce the five recipients of the fund and believe that their initiatives are essential in supporting the local area.”
Hollies Community Hub, which aims to help elderly people retain their independence by providing them with a safe space where they can engage with and meet their friends, will be using the £1,000 to organise excursions for its members.
Blue Triangle Housing Association is a supported homeless accommodation service which houses up to 14 young people at a time, helping them gain independent living skills. The community fund will help the group revamp its enclosed garden area to provide its tenants with a safe and secure communal area for socialising.
Set up by a group of local parents over 30 years ago, First Step Community Project works within the Musselburgh community supporting vulnerable families who are facing extreme financial difficulties during the cost of living crisis. With its funding from Dundas, the group will be issuing Winter Warmer Packs which seek to provide families with essentials such as hot water bottles, flasks and thermals, as well as useful information on how to help save on energy bills while keeping warm and healthy over the winter period.
Changes East Lothian is a mental health and wellbeing charity which provides free support services for over 16s living, or registered with a GP, in East Lothian. The charity provides counselling, therapeutic and peer support groups, as well as a wide range of activities and volunteer opportunities.
DadsWork, a charity that delivers support and services to men, fathers, and male carers, will be using the fund towards its four-week programme for new expectant dads which aims to increase their confidence as they prepare for fatherhood.
