FIVE Borders groups have received lottery grant of up to almost £10,000 to run events based around the Commonwealth Games.
The grant, from the Big Lottery Fund’s Celebrate and 2014 Communities funds, were announced on Tuesday.
Borders Voluntary Older People’s Service has been awarded £9,950 to run ‘Big Celebration Gathering 2014’ for older residents which will be a Commonwealth Games-themed event, including a pantomime, meal, quiz and fireworks.
Melrose Rugby Club has also been successful in getting funding to build the Commonwealth Games into the annual Crichton Cup tournament.
A grant of £7,000 will be used to bring together 400 children aged between five and 17 for the event, with local schools provided with teaching resource packs to enable classes to adopt a commonwealth country, run projects about their country and also make flags and banners to support their team at the tournament.
In addition, Innerleithen MTB Racing have been awarded £1,877 to provide great opportunities for children in their kids club, including providing specialist leader training for four volunteers.
Just over £9,000 has been granted to Play Borders to put on a full day of activities promoting sport and physical activity in the Borders, using the Glasgow games to inspire people to play sport and also volunteer at their local clubs.
Finally, almost £10,000 has been given to Scottish Borders Youth Voice to enable young people to develop their understanding of other young people and democracy in commonwealth countries.
The year-long project will also include photography workshops a Borders-wide exhibition of images and a book.
They are now looking for 15 young people to take part in the project.
Applications are welcomed from young people who are interested in or wish to learn about photography and develop their skills. They must also want to work within their local community as well as building connections and learning about young people in other countries.
The closing date for applications is April 25, and application forms and more information can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/ctc