A CAMPAIGN to upgrade a Galashiels playground is appealing for community votes as part of a national funding competition.

The project to purchase new equipment for the playground at Glendinning Terrace Primary School is in the running for a cash boost as part of the Aviva Community Fund competition.

The competition offers projects from across the UK the chance to get funding for important community causes. This year, five projects from across the Scottish Borders are in the running for cash.

Projects require votes from friends, families and supporters to make it to the finals, where a judging panel will award the funds. Over 500 projects across four different fund levels and three categories will be given cash to achieve their goals.

‘Glendinning Play For All’ want to provide access to play equipment for the Glendinning community. According to the project’s proposal, the nearest play park is a small one in a private housing development over a mile away from many of the children’s homes and involves walking along the A7 or through woodland to get there.

Glendinning Terrace Primary School’s parent council are running the project and say that it will provide residents with access to play facilities outside of school times and be inclusive of all children in the community, including those with additional needs.

Karen Currie from Glendinning Terrace Primary School PTA said: “We’ve applied for an Aviva grant to provide musical and sensory equipment for the playground and some balance and coordination equipment too.

“The site’s quite small so we have to get the best value for our money and we’re in the process of involving the children in what kinds of equipment they would like and, as it’s a community project, further down the line we will be publishing plans for the community to have the final say on what we provide for our children.”

Another Borders project in the running for funding is Peer 2 Peer Mindfulness CIC Ltd who want to offer free Mindfulness courses to adults across the region who may not have the financial means to attend otherwise.

In their proposal organisers said: “We believe people should vote for our project because the benefits of mindfulness should be accessible to everyone and can make a life changing difference to the lives of hundreds of people in the Scottish Borders.”

Energise Galashiels Trust are also looking to secure funding. They want to make the people aware of the contributions community groups make to the town with a ‘Community Based Communications Platform’ to increase awareness of events and participation in activities that are taking place.

Organisers said: “Our project will help demonstrate the rich cultural life that exists in Galashiels, reconnecting people with the history and identity of this special place, and providing a point of cohesion to bring our diverse communities together and to have a sense of pride in the place they call home.”

Gala organization Works+ have also entered their employability project which works with disadvantaged, unemployed young people from across the Scottish Borders helping them to obtain employment, education or training.

Mark Timmins Chief Operating Officer of Works+ said: “I am very proud that Works+ helps the most underprivileged people in our community to become confident contributing members of society, self reliant able to look the world in the face and succeed.”

In Peebles, the local Scout Group is hoping to get funds to improve the acoustics in their Scout Hall. They want to install sound dampening curtains to improve the noise quality of the space, ensuring it can be used and enjoyed by all.

Votes can be cast by visiting www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk

Once registered each voter will receive 10 votes which can go toward one project or spread over multiple projects.

Voting closes on November 20.