Jackie Baillie has expressed her joy after 11 local groups benefitted from National Lottery funding to the tune of almost £70,000.

The National Lottery Community Fund supports communities to thrive by providing a range of local groups with funding. In the latest tranche of funding a number of different local projects were supported.

These are Autism on the Water based at Rhu Marina; Castlegreen Allotments Association and Clifftop Projects Cic, both in Dumbarton; Cove Burgh Hall; Dumbarton Shoto Budo; Food For Thought; Healthy Heart Lifestyle Club; Helensburgh Art Hub; Lomond Radio Club and Renton Community Development Trust.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP said: “There are a plethora of groups across West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond who do fantastic work in our communities.

“They open up opportunities which may not exist for local residents and it is brilliant news to hear that almost £70,000 is being invested here by the National Lottery to fund these programmes.

“I am absolutely delighted and hope that these grants give the projects a little bit of extra support which helps them to keep these lifeline services going as they face increased running costs due to the cost of living crisis. It is also a joy to read that this funding will help some groups expand their programmes, reaching even more people within the area.

“Thank you to the National Lottery for seeing the benefit of these local organisations.”