Published on : Thursday, November 27, 2014
Sixteen groups will share a total of £42,500, with the amounts awarded to each ranging from £350 to £5,000.
The ScotRail Foundation was established in May 2013, and distributes grants to groups that support children and young people, improve the environment or enhance the general health and wellbeing of local communities.
Krazy Kat Theatre Company is among the groups to receive a boost from the latest round of Foundation funding. Established in 1982, the company champions the value of signing, creating theatre which incorporates sign language and making it accessible to deaf and hearing impaired children and their families.
Having been awarded £4,800 by the Foundation, it will use the funds to deliver ten performances of ‘Mattress Mattress’, a 50 minute children’s theatre show incorporating sign language.
The theatre company will take the production around Scotland to community groups and primary schools for deaf children, mainstream schools with hearing units and special needs schools.
Kinny Gardner, director of Krazy Kat Theatre Company, said the funding would provide a major resource boost.
“By investing in this project, ScotRail is demonstrating that deaf and disabled children and mainstream hearing children have unity through culture and language, which crosses national and cultural boundaries,” he said.
“This will support our work, which will continue to inspire, motivate and develop capacity for discussion – encouraging young deaf and disabled people to recognise and realise their potential.
“This funding will also facilitate opportunities to approach other funding bodies to top up our funds.”
ScotRail staff who raise funds on an individual basis for a charity close to their hearts can also apply to the Foundation for up to £250 in ‘match funding’.
A total of £15,000 from the £100,000 funding pot for the year is available for this, with the remaining £85,000 awarded to community groups.
In its first year, the Foundation distributed £100,000 to 51 community groups and 18 charities.
It has already donated more than £46,000 during year two.
Director Pat Callaghan, who manages corporate social responsibility for ScotRail, said: “We believe we are much more than a railway operator, and have a significant part to play in improving our communities.
We are proud of the funding that the Foundation has delivered to community groups and charities so far, and look forward to supporting the valuable work of others in future.”
The next deadline for community applications is Monday 1 December.
Three regional committees of ScotRail staff, who volunteered for the role, will then meet to select the groups which best meet the criteria – and successful applicants will be announced in March 2015.
Foundation Scotland, an independent charity with more than 18 years of experience, manages the fund on behalf of ScotRail.
Tags: scotrail
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