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Sport Relief has announced a brand new grants programme that will support projects which help some of the most disadvantaged people living in Scotland and across the world’s poorest countries.
The Scottish Sport Relief Home and Away Programme is kick starting with a total of £5 million – £2.5 million raised through Sport Relief, matched by contributions of £1.25 million each from the Scottish Government’s Health portfolio and International Development Fund.
To celebrate the launch of the programme, world champion cyclist Graeme Obree visited North United Communities, an example of the type of project that could benefit from the new fund.
As one of the hundreds of projects in Scotland currently benefiting from money raised through Sport Relief, the project supports young people and steers them away from under-age drinking. It provides a range of workshops in North Glasgow giving young people a chance to take part in positive activities and encourages them to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Link Community Development Scotland (LCDS) also attended the event highlighting how the remaining 50% of the money could be spent internationally. The project aims to improve access to quality primary education in sub-Saharan Africa and to promote global citizenship values among young people in Scotland. Established in 2006, LCDS runs a number of programmes with partner organisation Link Community Development Malawi to support school improvement in the Dedza and Mulanje districts.
Graeme Obree was joined at the Maryhill Hub by Comic Relief Chief Executive Kevin Cahill, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, and Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, who all enjoyed a kick-about with young people taking part in a football coaching session.
‘Flying Scotsman’ Graeme said: “Meeting people from projects already benefiting from Sport Relief cash was really inspiring, and shows how the new Scottish Sport Relief Home and Away Programme will make a huge difference to people living incredibly tough lives at home in Scotland as well as in the world’s poorest countries.”
The £5 million announced this week is just the start of the Scottish Sport Relief Home and Away Programme, which will tackle a range of issues, spending 50% of the money in Scotland. Among many issues being addressed, this new programme will help young people living with mental health problems; give a voice to older people suffering neglect or abuse; offer crucial support to women and children affected by domestic abuse; and provide support to young people caught up in sexual exploitation and trafficking.
The remaining 50% will be spent in the world’s poorest countries, including giving people a helping hand to earn their own living thanks to trade and enterprise initiatives; supporting people affected by HIV and AIDS; and helping to improve the lives of street and working children. Sport Relief will be growing this programme from the initial £5 million with money raised through the Sport Relief fundraising campaign; support from corporate partners; and donations from trusts, foundations and philanthropists.
