A volunteer-led charity which helps saves thousands of people from distress at sea every year is one of the final recipients of funds from NFU Scotland’s centenary trust.
RNLI is one of four recipients to receive a share of £10,000 from the trust, which was launched to mark the union’s centenary year in 2013.
Funded through member donations, sales of a specially-blended bottle of malt whisky organised by the union’s Banffshire branch, and sales of a centenary book, the trust set out to fund educational, rural training and safety projects across Scotland.
Since its inception it has awarded more than £217,000 to 73 projects, with the bulk of funds – £145,000 – given to educational activities, £43,000 to rural training and £29,000 to health and safety projects.
The final round of funding will see £3,840 given to RNLI, £1,920 to interactive children’s safety game Crucial Crew, £1,920 to Kittochside Agricultural Museum in East Kilbride, and £1,920 to Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue.
“Over the last three years, the fund has helped many projects educate a huge range of people – from farmers and their employees to schoolchildren and teachers,” said the trust’s treasurer, George Lawrie.
“The RNLI and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue aid farmers and those working on the land, and likewise, in remote areas, if they ever need emergency assistance. Crucial Crew educates children through interactive workshops and the money to Kittochside Agricultural Museum will assist in educating children and visitors about agriculture, including visiting its working farm.”
He thanked everyone who has been involved with the trust, which will close as a charity in the next few months.
“What has been achieved has been fantastic and we thank all those who have been involved in raising money, giving donations, or submitting applications,” added Mr Lawrie.
“We are bringing the trust to a close but it will be great to see projects that have benefited from funding continue to educate and inform in the coming years. That is a fitting legacy to mark the centenary of the union in 2013.”
Centenary trust funding in the north
Ten projects across the north and north-east have been awarded funding by NFU Scotland’s centenary trust.
The biggest recipient of funds was the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative in March 2013.
The rural education charity was given £17,500 towards establishing the Countryside Classroom on Wheels, which goes around schools educating children about food and farming.
Other awards included £15,516 to Ringlink Scotland Ltd to help fund its land-based internship programme, £3,100 to Leckmelm Estate in Ullapool to buy care farming equipment; £5,000 to the union’s Banffshire branch to fund its annual educational awards and £1,200 to Edzell Primary School for a rural health and safety project.