£14k windfall to support coronavirus vulnerable
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A £14,000 pot from a wind farm community fund is being targeted at local groups and charities supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding is being re-directed from the Edintore Wind Farm community benefit fund to focus on the immediate hardships caused by the lockdown and restrictions on movement and work.
Applications are invited from local bodies working to improve life for people during the pandemic, with grants covering costs such as essential supplies for struggling households, volunteer expenses, befriending services, and supplies for making personal protective equipment (PPE).
Applicants must be based or working in the area covered by the wind farm community benefit fund which includes Keith, Strathisla, Strathbogie, Dufftown and district, Cullen, Deskford, Buckie and district, Portknockie and Findochty.
The deadline for applications is May 31 and submissions are for costs from the beginning of March to the end of May.
The Rural Environmental Action Project (REAP), which manages the fund on behalf of the wind farm operator vento ludens, aims to process and pay eligible applications within a week of receipt.
Catherine Sinclair, development worker at REAP, said: “We know that the restrictions in place as a result of the coronavirus outbreak are having a real impact and creating real hardship for local families, and also impacting on a huge variety of support services that people rely on for their wellbeing.
“Everyone involved with the wind farm community benefit fund - REAP, the volunteers on our grant panel, and vento ludens – knows that we have an opportunity to help out at this difficult time and we are keen to do what we can to support our local communities.
“We have tailored the fund to support the amazing local response to the crisis, and with an awareness of the sudden and serious financial challenges facing some households. We know that volunteers are very busy, so have focused on a quick and simple process with light touch reporting.
“I’d encourage anyone who thinks that they may be eligible to make an application, and to do so as soon as possible. Given the urgency of the situation requests will be treated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.”
Any group which thinks it may be eligible, whether informal or formally-constituted, should email info@reapscotland.org.uk to request an application form giving the name of the group, location and the activities to be funded.
