COMMUNITY groups, charities, volunteers and local residents from the Benarty area attended a celebration event to find out more about the Benarty Community Fund which awards grants from income generated from the wind farm operated by Ventient Energy.

The event showcased the successes of awardees to the fund and allow people to meet the Community Fund Panel who are responsible for making decision on applications. Groups also had an opportunity to network and find out more about what’s happening in their community.

The event had 27 attendees from 19 different organisations: Dunfermline Foodbank, Lochore Institute, Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club, Re-Employ, Benarty Events Group, the Meedies Running Club, Benarty All Stars, Benarty Enterprise, Benarty Primary School Parent Council, Benarty Cottage Crafts, Benarty Events Group, Benarty Community Council, Kids Come First, Benarty Heritage Preservation Group, Benarty Forum, Lochore Bowling Club, St Kenneth's Primary School Parent Council, Benarty & Dunmore (School and Nursery) and Benarty Fundraisers.

Attendees said the event was a great opportunity to hear about “grant funding information and the good news stories” and it was so good to “hear about local groups”. Attendees heard from previous beneficiaries of the fund.

Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club (KORMC) - £2,000.00 - To purchase an off-road motorcycle which will be prioritised for use by young people in the Benarty area.

Benarty Events Group - £2,000 - To purchase and install new Christmas lights for Ballingry and buy the existing lights used in Lochore and Crosshill.

Lochore Bowling Club- £2,000 - To replace one of the clubhouse's patio doors.

Re-Employ - £1,997 - To purchase new IT equipment which will be fully compatible with the new laser machinery the group uses to create its products.

Meedies Running Club £250 for equipment to support their running sessions.

The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland who, alongside the community panel, were on hand to answer questions, offer support with the application process and explain the funding criteria.

Eimear Cassidy, from Foundation Scotland, said “The event was an opportunity for people to hear about the range of things the fund has supported over the years and celebrate these successes and the hard work of the panel who are all volunteers. "The great thing about this fund is that it is to solely benefit projects and people living in Benarty”.

The fund will be open to constituted groups based in or benefitting residents in Benarty with grants of between £500 and £2,000. The next deadline date to apply for funding is September 14.

To find out more about the fund, visit: https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/westfield-benarty/