Uist and Benbecula youth groups to benefit from CalMac Community Fund

Tagsa Uibhist's Armchair Athletics Project is one of the first youth groups to benefit from west coast ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund.

Tagsa Uibhist, is a voluntary organisation serving local communities throughout Uist and Benbecula.

Its Armchair Athletics project has been granted £2000 to help young people gain confidence and skills through meeting, talking to and playing games with care home residents. 

Project Group organiser, Tracy Walker said; 

'The Cuimhne Project which is part of Tagsa, along with the Uist and Barra Commmunity Hub and the Uist Volunteers Centre, are so very grateful for the funds from CalMac's Community Fund, towards assistance with the transport cost of the Armchair Athletics. These monies enable us to ensure that we can continue with the inter-generational work we have been doing with the primary schools and Care Homes on Uist which has proven to be a great success with both the young and older community members gaining and increasing well being, making people smile and have fun.'

CalMac's Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations involved in activities that will benefit young people aged 26 and under from island or coastal communities the company supports. 

Picture shows: Tagsa Uibhist's Tracy Walker and Kevin Morrison were joined by pupils from Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath to pick up their Community Fund cheque.

'The response since we started taking applications in March has been amazing. We had no idea the variety and creativity of different projects that are going on to help improve the quality of life for young people on the islands we support,' said CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton. 

'We are delighted to make a contribution to making them a success.' 

Uist Squash Club also received £2000 to help introduce more young people to the sport. 

Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company's network, in partnership with Young Scot. 

CalMac is now taking applications from the Southern Hebrides and Firth of Clyde communities, details at calmac.co.uk/community-fund.