A ferry company is aiming to build on a discount programme which allows community groups to travel from the northern isles to the mainland at lower cost.
Serco NorthLink Ferries are planning to discuss a new round of sponsorship of clubs, residents and events in Orkney and Shetland after handing out £80,000 worth of ferry travel in the last year.
Among the beneficiaries of the discount programme is 13-year-old Commonwealth Games medal winning swimmer Erraid Davies.
Her Delting Dolphins club have been receiving sponsorship from the ferry company for a number of years, enabling members to travel to the mainland at a fraction of the cost in order to compete at a national or international level.
Lorraine Gifford, head coach at Delting Dolphins, said: “Here in the Northern Isles our athletes rely greatly upon ferry travel to the mainland to compete and, therefore, progress.
“The sponsorship provided by Serco NorthLink Ferries has been a fantastic helping hand to people like Erraid and I would encourage others to apply.”
Stuart Garrett, managing director at Serco NorthLink Ferries, added: “Increasing our sponsorship capacity allows more clubs and individuals like Erraid to travel to and from the islands, boosting participation and also the potential for success.
“Once again, we look forward to working with islanders, allowing them to edge closer to their sporting goals.”
An open evening will be held in the Clickimin, Lerwick on Wednesday, September 3 at 7pm for anyone interested in receiving sponsorship between October 1 this year and March 31 next year.