Lottery cash will fund fighback in Cumbernauld

For the fast movers at the Cumbernauld Resilience group had the presence of mind to apply for a National Lottery Awards For All grant – and were successful.

They are now almost £10,000 richer as result and busy members have been heavily bolstered by the funding as their work continues round the clock during this extended lockdown period.

Kenny McGeachie, who led on the funding application, said: “All the volunteers involved with Cumbernauld Resilience are delighted to have been successful.”

Tony Murphy, who is responsible for sourcing supplies for the group, added: “In our first few weeks we have received some incredibly generous donations from local people, groups, schools, churches, and businesses, including some substantial donations of food.

“There are too many to mention but without them we simply would not have been able to help as many people as we have in such a short space of time.

“This fantastic grant from the National Lottery will help us acquire the food and supplies we need to continue supporting local people in need a while longer. But please, if you are in a position to support the group by donating food, please give our hotline a call on 07707 860 976 or email [email protected].”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Lottery cash has also enabled the setting up of a customised telephone helpline to cater for Cumbernauld.

Cornerstone House says the line is now live and will run for at least six months.

Called The Cumbernauld CHaT – Community Help and Talk service – it has been paid for by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Corra Foundation. It is being staffed by the caring volunteers of Cumbernauld Family Hub and Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub.

It offers practical support and chat with a view to helping the town’s residents through the pandemic by providing a listening ear and a referral service.

Mary McNeil, Development manager of Cornerstone House Centre, said: “As a community anchor organisation serving greater Cumbernauld it was vital that Cornerstone Community House responded to the pandemic in the most practical helpful and comprehensive way on behalf of local people.

“Hence after some detailed work over the past few weeks to put in a wide-ranging provision which will support Cumbernauld’s residents in a significant way.”

The phoneline is open from 9am to 9pm and can be contacted on 07940 569527.

An email helpline is also available on [email protected],uk.

More details on the helpline will appear in the Cumbernauld News - out today.

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