A Lanarkshire wind farm partnership has awarded more than a quarter of a million pounds to locals over the past three years.
Community groups have thanked Banks Renewables' Kype Muir Community Panel (KMCP) for their 49 grants totalling £267,047 distributed to organisations within 10km of its wind farm near Strathaven.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the KMCP fund performed a key role by responding quickly to provide practical support to residents and community groups and helping to keep services running for the most vulnerable members of the surrounding community.
The partnership has directly supported a range of community needs, from repairs to community buildings to restoring community art to offering a lifeline to the most vulnerable throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Climate Action Strathaven, a charity looking to increase sustainability and climate awareness, was set up one month before the first coronavirus lockdown and has since received vital funding through the KMCP.
Arthur Potter of Climate Action Strathaven said: “We have been focused on making sustainable choices as accessible as possible for people in our community, and it has been great to have the support of Banks Renewables in delivering a better and greener future for our town."
Health and wellbeing projects have benefited the most, receiving £177,461, followed by disability and access related projects (£87,000) and community support and development (£80,417).
Other grants of £28,800 have supported projects involving children and young people, £20,000 has helped people with mental and physical health issues, while £15,800 has gone to support older people aged 65-plus.
This year, Banks Renewables has donated £173,162 to the KMCP fund, with this amount linked to inflation to ensure that the fund can continue to effectively serve the community in the long term.
So far in 2022, 12 grants totalling £105,410 have been awarded by the KMCP fund.
This is in addition to the £210,000 contribution that the Banks Renewables Kype Muir Wind Farm makes each year into the South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund and the £348,000 contribution to support the jobs and training for local people which is also administered by SLC.
George Smith, chairman of the KMCP, said: “We are proud to help our communities take part in the Kype Muir project which has helped our villages with some truly brilliant projects.
“The future is bright for KMCP as we move into the next chapter of collaboration with the local authority, Banks Renewables and our community councils.”
Past beneficiaries of the fund include Lesmahagow Bowls Club which was able to upgrade its facilities with a £15,000 grant, while a £12,000 grant helped Sandford & Upper Avondale Community Council improve Sandford’s community woodland space and ensure greater accessibility.
Training facilities at Strathaven Rugby FC were dramatically improved with the support of a £7500 grant and £12,500 helped the Hope Hub Community Centre in Kirkmuirhill install a sensory garden which will host outdoor classes and workshops.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
