A FIRST of its kind funding scheme for frontline charities proved vital in the Wee County during the pandemic, according to a report.

The Response, Recovery and Resilience (RRR) Funding Scheme supported Clackmannanshire's third sector as the community tackled Covid-19.

As part of the process, a fresh means of grant distribution was piloted by providers Foundation Scotland in a bid to ensure the money reached organisations quickly.

In what was a first of its kind funding programme, third sector interfaces across Scotland were a direct facilitator in distributing financial support.

Around the Wee County, Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) took on the responsibility through a mix of open and closed funding processes.

Altogether, 11 groups received a combined £5,569 in Clacks.

They included Clackmannan Development Trust, Menstrie Community Council, The Gate Charity, Hawkhill Community Association, Sauchie Active 8, Fort Valley Welcome, Transform Forth Valley and more with around £500 of support for each.

Another recipient was Alva Development Trust, which was offering a food provision for those on the shielding list as well as anyone who had faced financial hardship.

The trust received £500 from the fund, which was used to cover the cost of some of the community response activities.

A representative from the trust said: "The funding allowed us to provide additional emergency foodbank support for families in crisis in the Hillfoots villages and beyond.

"This additional funding came at a time when this support was vital, we were grateful to receive the grant."

The report on the fund, which was published this Monday October 11, showed that £292,000 was distributed across Scotland.

Those who received the fund reported high levels of satisfaction in feedback with 80 per cent agreeing that the approach to distribution saved them time.

Around a third of grantees said they would not have been able to provide services had it not been for the money received.

Anthea Coulter, chief officer at CTSI, said: "We are delighted that CTSI was involved in distributing this Covid-19 response grant along with the wider TSI Scotland Network.

"The findings of this report illustrate the important role that TSIs can play in supporting local third sector organisations.

"With the RRR Fund we were able to support 11 local organisations, enabling them to provide targeted and specialist support to people in real need and isolated during the height of the pandemic, ensuring our communities remained connected.

"I am delighted that the TSI Scotland Network is now being considered for wider distribution of funds by Scottish Government and funders, recognising that we can work with partners and within local communities to identify the real gaps emerging and target support to small grass roots organisations."