National Lottery windfall to transform lives of Scarborough veterans

A charity helping former members of the armed forces and emergency services get back on their feet has just been awarded £350,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund. This organisation distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK.

“We’re over the moon to have been awarded this grant,” said Dorinda Wolfe Murray from FirstLight Trust. “Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to offer even more activities in Scarborough over the next three years. Healthy living and cooking demonstrations can take place in a new upstairs kitchen workshop in our hub. Plus our disused courtyard in Newborough can finally be transformed into a space for veterans and their families to learn more about gardening and food.”

Some of the new activities planned for Scarborough veterans will include walking groups, money management and computing courses plus crafting for all the family sessions. Additional activities will be delivered with the help of local organisations such as Stepney Hill Farm, Adult Learning and Skills Service, Everyone Active, Montessori School and Scarborough Council. A therapeutic service delivered through qualified clinicians will provide support and guidance.

The Sharpe’s café area is already popular with ex-service and emergency service personnel as well as the general public. It provides a quiet, Wifi-free place to chat and relax, with no distracting background music. By developing the courtyard, FirstLight Trust hopes to offer and outdoor space with tables and chairs to encourage more veterans and their children to visit.

“We hope the changes will allow at least 300 Scarborough veterans will feel less isolated and improve their physical and mental health,” Dorinda explains “For some this will mean they may even gain enough confidence and marketable skills to volunteer or return to work. This money will change lives.”

-ENDS-

About The National Lottery Community Fund

The largest community funder in the UK award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since June 2004, they have made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9 billion to projects benefitting millions of people.  

They say “We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.”

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