THE kids of Dalneigh have got something to cheer about they're this month's winners in a Rotary Club giveaway backed by the Highland News.
The 7/12 Youth Club in Dalneigh will receive 300 to help them set up a community garden and establish a junior community warden scheme to give them even more pride in their neighbourhood.
The donation is part of a cash giveaway by Loch Ness Rotary Club, worth thousands of pounds over this year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its charter.
It has teamed up with the Highland News to run the programme, aimed at grassroots causes rather than the bigger high-profile charities. In each month, a lucky group, individual or charity in the Inverness area is receiving a cash boost of 300 to put to good use.
"The kids are just delighted," youth leader Tracey Macpherson told the HN. "It was all their own idea. One of them took in a clipping from the Highlands News and said: 'How do we apply for this?'
"We don't get any funding from the council, so the children are very involved in fundraising throughout the year coffee mornings, fashion shows, race nights, sponsored walks, all sorts of things. The children know that to keep the club going we need to keep the funds coming in."
The club started through the Dalneigh Residents' Association.
"We sat down with the kids and asked them what they wanted, and they said they didn't have a youth club for ages seven to 12. The council wouldn't fund a club for that age group they only fund them for ages 12 -18," Tracey said. "It's now been running three years and we have between 60 and 70 kids attending."
The club meets on Monday evenings in the James Cameron Community Centre in Dalneigh.
The Rotary cash will go towards the club's latest project, a community garden.
"We've been given some land by Highland Council at the Hawthorn Project in Dalneigh," Tracey explained.
"We're going to erect a small garden shed and buy some tools and equipment so the kids can start growing their own veg.
"We also hope to start cookery lessons for the children, so they'll be involved in the whole process from planting, to growing to cooking.
"It's important that they learn about leading a healthy lifestyle.
"It will keep them busy and, because it's on their own doorstep, it will help give them some pride in the area.
"We're also working with Highland Council to introduce a junior community warden scheme, so the kids can help to keep their own community clean and tidy."
Speaking on behalf of the Loch Ness Club, Magnus Swanson said: "This is a really great project which picks up on many of the reasons why the Loch Ness Club started the Charter Charity scheme.
"The fact it helps bring communities together, gives those involved a real focus and develops a positive level of citizenship for the children means it hits so many marks for us.
"I am absolutely positive that the 300 will support the existing project and hopefully go some way to keeping it going for the benefit of the residents in this community. Our club obviously wishes them well and looks forward to seeing their project 'grow'."
l Groups, individuals and charities are invited to apply for one of the 300 monthly awards by visiting www.lochnessrotary.org/fundingapplications.asp
Entries will be invited each month and put forward for judging, and a lucky winner chosen and featured in the Highland News.
Those not chosen will go forward for consideration the following month along with new entries.
