Funding boost for wheelchair curlers

The award was made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, which gives out just under £1m to community groups each year.

Club secretary Val Robertson said that such funding, which will go towards hiring ice time at Kelso’s Border Ice Rink once the season starts again in October, is always welcome.

“The club has been going since 2002,” she told the Southern this week, “and at the moment we have 13 members, from across the Borders and Berwick, which is nearly our maximum.”

Val added that while the club currently doesn’t enter into competitions, that might be something they will now be looking into in the future.

Local Conservative MSP John Lamont welcomed the grant, and encouraged other community groups in the area to apply.

He said: “The Borders Wheelchair Curling Club is a fantastic facility which is looking to bring in new people to enjoy the sport.

“I would also urge charities in the Borders to get in touch with Lloyds TSB Foundation if they are interested in making a grant application.”

Fiona Duncan, chief executive of the foundation said: “Our mission is to make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities in Scotland. We do this by encouraging positive change, opportunities, fairness and growth of aspirations, which improve quality of life. We believe in investing in Scotland’s communities and are proud of the difference we support people to make through our awards.”