Almost half a million pounds is to be shared among 22 organisations across the region who have hit the National Lottery jackpot.
Fifteen awards in Dumfriesshire ranged from £84,000 for Upper Nithsdale Arts and Crafts Community Initiative’s social isolation tackling and health and wellbeing improvement programme to £2,100 for the Thornhill After School Lego Club.
The popular club was set up last year by local mum Somar Fergusson and gives children aged from five to 12 the chance to get creative with Lego.
A spokesperson for the club said: “We will be using the money to offer a series of free workshops all about Lego for children in the local area, join the official Lego Leagues programme, and purchase new equipment for the children to enjoy.”
The User and Carer Involvement Group will allocate the £39,235 it is receiving to provide cost of living related support to isolated women with learning disabilities and expand their Hen’s Den in Dumfries to include new dens in Annandale and Eskdale, and the rest of the region.
It is estimated they will help 60 women over the next year with eight volunteers and deliver 180 support and activity sessions in the dens.
The Sandside Community Garden Association in Dumfries has been awarded £7,914 to continue developing their community green space to help health and wellbeing locally.
The £10,000 awarded to Glencaple-based Nith Inshore Rescue will be used to help buy a new Land Rover Ambulance.
Plans to paint the interior of Lockerbie Town Hall has been given an £8,000 lottery boost. The Lockerbie Town Hall Users Group applied for the cash to provide community groups and local people with an enhanced facility.
After the severe flooding this winter, £3,050 will help Kirkmahoe Community Council increase resilience in the community with regular lunch events and capacity to deal with future extreme weather.
Auldgirth Hall group will spend its £9,914 improving kitchen facilities and improving accessibility.
A car park refurbishment is on the cards at Closeburn Recreation Hall after a £9,700 cash boost.
Dumfries High Street Limited has been awarded £9,950 to encourage community involvement in creating a yard garden, while Eaglesfield Public Hall’s £8,154 windfall to fund an internal redecoration.
Gretna and Rigg Community Council is planning to use its £1,350 lottery boost on a Christmas pantomime.
Sourdough breadmaking and mindfulness sessions for Dumfriesshire residents suffering stress and anxiety from financial hardship will come from a £9,983 award to the Increased Access 2 Psychological Support organisation.
Dumfries Action Partnership Group was awarded £7,800 for a “Market of Possibility” in the town centre showcasing new community groups.
