Children’s Lottery cash for Friends of Seaview

Edinburgh charity Friends of Seaview has been awarded a £12,000 grant from the Scottish Children’s Lottery.

Friends of Seaview supports the work of Seaview Children’s Unit, a respite residential and outreach service for children with disabilities. Staff, children and volunteers work together with a therapeutic gardener to grow fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs, welcoming bees and birds as well as allowing children to experience nature and independence.

The grant from the Scottish Children’s Lottery will enable the charity to maintain its work and help fund a Geodome, which will expand the growing season and allow the children to spend more time outdoors in the winter months.

Laura Nason, Therapeutic Gardener at Friends of Seaview, said: “The funding from Scottish Children’s Lottery is invaluable to the continuation of our work with children. It will enable us to increase the number of therapeutic gardening sessions we are able to offer children and young people.

“The benefits of these sessions include connection with nature, improved behaviour and concentration, a sense of purpose and achievement, the learning of new skills – and obviously fun. The new Geodome will allow vulnerable children to use the garden year round, to spend time in nature whilst being protected from the winter weather.”

The Scottish Children’s Lottery was launched in October 2016 to raise money for children in Scotland, with proceeds helping to improve the lives of children right across the country and make a real difference to those who need it most.

Kirsteen Campbell is trustee of Chance to Connect, which operates as a society lottery under the Scottish Children’s Lottery. Chance to Connect supports projects working in the areas of community development and citizenship, giving young people across Scotland the chance to live in a safe, supportive and stimulating community.

Kirsteen Campbell said: “I am delighted that we are able to provide funding for Friends of Seaview from the money generated from the Scottish Children’s Lottery, which was established in order to promote and support the development and potential of children and young people in Scotland.

“Thank you to those who play the Scottish Children’s Lottery – you are helping to support the great work that our charities undertake.”

Charities that support children in Scotland can apply online for Scottish Children’s Lottery funding.