Skye & Raasay members applaud community spirit throughout COVID pandemic & provided £52K of support

Local people and groups on the Isle of Skye and Raasay have been supported with up to £52,000 of ward funding over the past year.

Members of the Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee provided £16K from Ward Discretionary Funds to support communities and £36K was also injected from the Community Resilience COVID-19 budget.

Both funding streams enabled Members to support community groups and help a wide range of people during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

Some of the areas supported included winter fuel, collection of prescriptions, outdoor activities, play park equipment and much more.

For example, funding was provided to Broadford & Strath Community Company to the tune of £4,400, Portree & Braes Community Council received funding of £3,500 and Young Carers were awarded £9,000.

The Community Foodbank in Skye and Lochalsh benefited from a £3,350 injection of cash, Skye & Lochalsh Mental Health Association applied and received £2,437, Viewfield Garden Collective got £1,000 worth of funding and Highland & Islands Blood Bikes received £500.

Chair of Isle of Skye and Raasay Area Committee, Cllr John Gordon, said: "We have to acknowledge the resilience shown by our communities over the past year, but also that we as members have been able to assist a long list of people and groups.

“We were able to make a large number of awards, perhaps the most in Highland, and were able to make that funding available quickly and when it was needed most.”

He added: “These funds have made a huge difference to the community groups and communities that were awarded them. It is quite humbling, looking back, to see how people rose up and organised themselves either in townships or within groups like Skye Community Response, other trusts and community councils.

“Individuals in our locality made a real difference to ensure no one was in need. I would like to add my thanks to the Ward Manager for all the work you do, particularly over the past year.”

A full list of those who benefited from the funding can be found below:

Community Resilience Covid-19 Budget £36k

Ward Discretionary Grant £16k