Two community organisations supporting people in Johnstone and across Renfrewshire have each received £750 from the John Roach Funeral Directors Community Fund.
The awards will support activities and digital access at Johnstone Castle Learning Centre and help Streetcare Volunteers provide Christmas food parcels for families facing hardship.
Johnstone Castle Learning Centre will use its grant to buy an ice hockey table for regular youth sessions and a laptop for young people who may not have IT equipment at home.
The laptop will provide access for homework, research and developing digital skills. The remainder of the grant will fund materials and refreshments for activities involving children, young people, adults and older residents.
Streetcare Volunteers will use its £750 to purchase food for the Renfrewshire Food Giveaway’s Christmas Eve parcels.
Now in its sixth year, the initiative plans to support more than 200 families facing financial hardship. Recipients are nominated through local schools, social work, health centres and community organisations.
Photo: From left, Craig Campbell of Streetcare Volunteers, Funeral Director Natasha Craig, Paul Millar of Streetcare Volunteers and Funeral Service Operative John McDonagh.
Photo Credit: John Roach Funeral Directors
The cheques were presented by Funeral Director Natasha Craig, a member of the programme’s judging panel, and Funeral Arranger Isabella Hood.
Natasha Craig said: “We are delighted to support two fantastic projects that are making a very practical difference to our local communities by helping people come together and supporting families at a time of year when household finances can be under pressure.”
Isabella Hood added: “The John Roach Funeral Directors’ Community Fund allows us to highlight the positive action and support that’s happening right on our doorstep. We’re looking forward to seeing these projects develop.”
The Johnstone team launched the grants programme last February to support community projects benefiting people living within five miles of its funeral home in Houstoun Square.
Projects must be non-profit and support health, education, employment opportunities, or people affected by poverty or social deprivation.
More information about the fund is available at www.johnroachfuneraldirectors.co.uk/community-fund/.
Johnstone Castle Learning Centre and Streetcare Volunteers have received £750 each to support community activities, digital access and Christmas food parcels for families facing hardship.
Photo: Johnstone Castle Learning Centre’s Jean Gallagher, left, with Isabella Hood, Funeral Arranger at John Roach Funeral Directors.
Photo Credit: John Roach Funeral Directors