Highland causes receive National Lottery boost
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The National Lottery Community Fund today (Thursday, July 9) announced over £12 million to 311 groups across Scotland, including a haven centre and an emegency blood sample fleet based in the Highland capital.
The Elsie Normington Foundation will use an award of £1,100,000 towards building The Haven Centre in Inverness, a specialist multi-purpose facility for children and young people with multiple and complex needs.
The Centre complex will feature three two-bedroomed respite houses and specialist play centres, as well office space, several meeting spaces and a community garden.
Welcoming the funding Elsie Normington, chairman and founder of the foundation, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news for the trustees and all those involved in the Haven Appeal.
"We have worked so hard on our application and are so grateful to National Lottery players for making this award possible. The project will deliver for the children in our society who most deserve our help."
Chairman of the Haven Appeal, David Sutherland, added: “This is such great news and is the major breakthrough we have been looking for in our fund-raising efforts.
"The National Lottery grant is a game changer, taking us more than half way to our target.
"It gives us real momentum for future money raising. This is a truly red letter day for everyone associated with the project.”
And Highland and Islands Blood Bikes receives £4,700 to cover essential maintenance costs for a fleet of motorbikes and cars delivering blood samples between hospitals and healthcare sites across the Highlands.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland chair, Kate Still, said: “These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, recognise the incredible work happening across Scotland to create stronger, more connected communities.
"I am delighted that some of this funding will be used to transform existing buildings into vibrant community hubs that will carry on the strong community spirit that has been so evident in recent times.
