![Ms Ewing with attendees from Benarty [LtoR] Lorna Gallagher, Andrew Watson, Charlotte Copeland, Carol Murphy and Annabelle Ewing MSP <i>(Image: Supplied)</i>](/resources/images/18872732.jpg?type=mds-article-962)
An MSP has sponsored an event at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate 25 years of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Ms Annabelle Ewing, who represents the Cowdenbeath constituency, praised the Trust for its "very significant impact" on former mining communities in Scotland, including Cowdenbeath.
After the event, Ms Ewing said: "I was absolutely delighted to sponsor an event at the Scottish Parliament marking 25 years of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
"A number of speakers and presentations showcased the important work of the Trust over the last 25 years and the very significant impact it has made to former mining communities in Scotland including in my Cowdenbeath constituency.
"I took the opportunity to highlight studies that have shown that the legacy for former mining communities has included poor health, lower levels of employment and deprivation.
"So, for these communities we must not simply talk about the regeneration of the actual sites themselves but also about focussing on the support needed to bring about generational change to these communities."
Ms Ewing concluded on the track record of the Trust in the past, saying: "The Trust, rightly, has an excellent track record of successful interventions over the years with funding from the Scottish Government and I was particularly pleased to meet up with a good contingent of folk from Benarty who attended the reception.”
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