Twenty sports clubs across the Lothians and the Scottish Borders have benefitted from a share of £10,000 from Aldi as part of the supermarket’s Scottish Sport Fund.
Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is an initiative that aims to help people of all ages take part in physical activity within their local communities by giving clubs the chance to secure up to £500 funding. Since launching in 2016, over 394 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from a funding boost of more than £190,000, helping to improve community access to sports across the country.
Last year, sports clubs such as Watsonians Ladies Rugby, Bathgate Amateur Swim Club, Lennel Lawn Tennis Club and Leith Community Archers each received £500 from Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund. Applications were submitted from across the Lothians and the Scottish Borders and a judging panel from Aldi was given the tough job of reviewing the submissions and selecting the beneficiaries.
Leith Community Archers, a charity run by local volunteers that promotes sport recreation and community bonding through archery, has used their funding to purchase new bows that have been specially modified for wheelchair users.
George Fyvie, a volunteer at Leith Community Archers, said: “Several of our members are wheelchair users, and until recently we only had one modified bow available to use. Thanks to Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, we now have three new, specially made bows, meaning more of our members can take part.
“Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is a fantastic initiative and an incredibly valuable source of funding for clubs like ours that rely on donations and volunteers. On behalf of everyone at Leith Community Archers, I’d like to thank Aldi for their support.”
Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria, from rugby clubs to after school groups and everything in between. Groups can apply for funding for a wide range of purposes, including new strips and equipment or facility fees and coaching.
Meanwhile, four schools across Scotland each recently won £20,000 to spend on new equipment as part of the supermarket’s Kits For Schools initiative, which aims to provide pupils with a range of exciting new sporting opportunities ahead of Tokyo 2020.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is part of our wider commitment to help cultivate a healthier, happier Scotland whilst encouraging people to lead more active lifestyles in the long run.
“It’s extremely heartening to see the difference the funding can make to clubs such as Leith Community Archers, and in turn improve the lives of people in their local communities.
“There are so many fantastic sports initiatives across the country, many of which are run by volunteers, and we hope to be able to help even more of them as we look ahead to re-launching the fund for its fifth year.”
Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is part of the retailer’s wider commitment to help cultivate a healthier Scotland, including weekly Super 6 fruit and veg deals, a pledge to reduce salt levels in products in line with Government targets, and replacing confectionery, chocolate and sweets at tills with dried fruit, nuts and water.
For more information about Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund please visit: www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund