SMITH WELCOMES 'AWARDS FOR ALL'

5.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th May 2007

The Big Lottery Fund has given grants totalling £57,092 to support organisations in North East Fife.

The grants, awarded through the National Lottery's 'Awards for All' project, have gone to nine organisations to a wide range of projects that strengthen community life and provide a range of activities for local people.

Speaking this afternoon, Iain Smith MSP for North East Fife said: "I'm delighted to see the range of projects that are receiving funding.

"It is essential that we continue to support the kind of grass-roots projects that enable local people to shape the way their communities develop".

He added: "The Big Lottery Fund has £257 million to invest in Scotland's communities before 2009. It has already supported many projects in North East Fife and I really encourage other local projects to apply and for funding".

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1, The following awards have been made by the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All:

Fife African and Caribbean Association has received £10,000; 

St Maries Primary School has received £10,000; 

Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther & District Community Council has received £10,000;  

Ferryport Festival Group has received £8,860; 

Wormit Primary School has received £4,942; 

The Fieldfare Trust Ltd has received £4,250; 

Tayport Homing Pigeon Society has received £4,135; 

Kirkton Community Support has received £3,100; 

Howe of Fife Probus Club has received £1,805.  

2, Biography: Iain Smith has been the MSP for North East Fife since 1999, an area where he was born and raised. Before becoming an MSP, Iain was a Councillor and Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Fife Council. He now lives in Ladybank in the constituency. Iain is Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education and Convener of the Scottish Parliament Education Committee.