Borders groups on track with funding boost

Perfect Harmony provides live musical entertainment to enhance the lives of those in care homes, hospitals, sheltered accommodation and day centres throughout the Scottish Borders.

It was awarded £5,000 from the Foundation, which distributes grants to groups that support children and young people, improve the environment or enhance the general health and wellbeing of local communities.

Rodney Harling, secretary for Perfect Harmony, said: “It’s great to be awarded funding from the ScotRail Foundation as it allows us to continue to provide musical concerts, free of charge, to vulnerable adults who can’t get out and about themselves to enjoy live music.” Newcastleton and Area Playgroup – which provides developmental learning activities for children up to five-years-old – also received funding from the ScotRail Foundation.

It was awarded £500 to contribute towards the cost of running a transport project for the kids, to tie in with the opening of the new Borders Railway.

Laura Paterson, treasurer for the Playgroup, said: “As a self-funded community group, we partake in a lot of fundraising activities to ensure we continue to provide the children with more opportunities for learning.

Receiving the grant from the Foundation is fantastic, and it truly means so much to us.” The ScotRail Foundation was established in 2013 and has since awarded £200,000 to 118 community groups and charities.

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 extremely proud of the funding that the ScotRail Foundation has delivered to community groups and charities over the last two years.” Foundation Scotland, an independent charity with more than 18 years of experience, managed the fund on behalf of ScotRail.