Friday, 16th September, saw a successful funding fair held in the Best Western Park Hotel, organised by local parliamentarians Michael Matheson and Angus MacDonald.
The event brought together over 100 delegates from a large number of local groups and charities to hear from a variety of funding and support organisations. Following a series of short presentations from the funders time was set aside for informal networking.
Queues quickly developed with funders, including national organisations such as the Big Lottery Fund Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as local funders including the Falkirk Community Schools Charity Board spending around two hours supporting groups from across the Falkirk District to find the most effective and relevant funding packages available.
Local MSPs Michael Matheson and Angus MacDonald who jointly organised the event were also joined by local MPs John McNally and Martyn Day at different times during the funding fair. Together, the team are keen to work with and continue to support the dedicated charities and organisations who do great work across their constituencies.
Commenting after the event, Falkirk West’s MSP Michael Matheson said:
“Two years ago the Big Lottery Fund Scotland drew our attention to the fact that there was a very low number of applications for finding coming from across the Falkirk district. Concerned about this, Angus and I invited Big Lottery to Falkirk back then and held an informative event for local groups which worked very well.
“We were delighted to hold another such successful event, bringing together a wider variety of numbers to engage with a significant number of local groups.”
Angus MacDonald, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Falkirk East, added:
“Across the Falkirk District we have a fantastic array of charities, groups and organisations which do amazing work in a variety of areas, from groups supporting children and young people, and groups working with vulnerable adults, to groups concerned with the natural heritage of our area.
“I’m therefore pleased to have received such positive feedback from the delegates of these groups who attended the funding fair Michael and I organised. I hope that they will benefit from strong relationships with funding organisations, and hopefully will subsequently receive funding to support their important work.”
