AN ALLOA youth group is celebrating after securing a series of funding opportunities.

Connect Alloa will continue its work in reducing social isolation among young people after receiving a number of funding grants.

The group recently moved to a new home in Unit 10 at Carsebridge Court in Alloa, just across Whins Road from the business centre.

Funding of £11,000 per year for three years has been confirmed by The Robertson Trust last week, which will likely go towards rent and utilities.

The good cause has also received £24,500 from the Clackmannanshire Child Wellbeing Project which will support activities and more – all decided on by the young people.

These will include help with rent costs, guest speakers, food costs, stationery, musical items and storage, staffing costs and others.

Meanwhile, project leader Dave Crozier told the Advertiser the group is growing steadily with more and more enquiries from parents and with enhanced connections to schools in the area.

The National Lottery Community Fund will be supporting the project leader's salary for two and a half years while also paying for activities, training and refreshments with more than £98,000.

FUNDING: Connect has received various sources of funding for the coming years

FUNDING: Connect has received various sources of funding for the coming years

The lottery's Awards for All granted £5,000 towards rent and utilities as well.

One of the young people's step-dad also helped by raising funds through an auction with two football tickets, netting £160 for the good cause, while a cheque from the Co-op was recently received.

In addition, the Lens project has also awarded £7,7440 to the group, affectionately referred to as “Connect” by the young people, to fund staff and pay rent.

This award is made even more amazing by the fact that the pitch was put together by a student and two of the young people there with Dave a member of the Lens panel and withdrawing from decision on this item.

Dave told the Advertiser: “It's growing, new people are attending and we've not lost any.”

He added: “We can support people between P7 and the age of 19 – there's a space for everyone, we have community events that will happen quite frequently – for the summer I am hoping to do a community quiz which will be really good to get people through the door.

“If anybody is interested in doing fundraising on our behalf or they are potentially interested in a trustee position then get in contact.

“The way we run, it's potentially a space for everyone – I'd like to make an open offer for people to contact us.”

Those interested can email dave@connectalloa.org.uk for more information.