Southside charity Give a Dog a Bone shortlisted for £50,000 grant

Southside charity Give a Dog a Bone has been shortlisted for a £50,000 grant that would allow it to bring its award-winning Companionship in the Community project to a third Scottish town or city.

Of 800 applicants UK-wide, the unique charity has reached the final 15 shortlisted to receive the grant from Ecclesiastical Insurance.

If successful, £50,000 would support the running costs of a third community space for two years, helping to enhance the lives of hundreds more elderly people by providing a safe space to make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs.

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Give a Dog a Bone, which works to tackle not only loneliness but also the rehoming of rescue animals, was launched by Clarkston mum Louise Russell in November 2013. Since then, it has helped rehome more than 300 cats and dogs with over 60s looking for companionship.

In January 2018, the charity expanded its services by launching a new project – Companionship in the Community. Patrons can pop into the community space in Shawlands for a cup of tea and a chat, take in part in free activities ranging from yoga to Spanish lessons or just enjoy the company of the Companionship Dogs.

The success of the project saw a second community space open in Troon earlier this year. The charity now sees 200 older people across its two locations each week.

In recent months, the success of the project has seen Give a Dog a Bone win the Celebrating Communities category at the Scottish Charity Awards and Louise win the Amazing Community Contribution award at the No.1 magazine Amazing Women Awards.

The winner of the Ecclesiastical Insurance £50,000 grant will be decided by public vote.

To vote for Give a Dog a Bone visit the Ecclesiastical Insurance website and click on Show Your Support.

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