Boost for disability group

DISABILITY Shetland has received £48,000 from The Peter Harrison Foundation to support the running costs of the independent registered charity’s recreation club.

The club provides activities such as football, netball, table tennis, carpet bowls, adapted games and gym for children and adults with a range of disabilities in Shetland.

The Peter Harrison Foundation is a family foundation based in Reigate in Surrey. A major part of its grants programme is devoted to projects under its Opportunities through Sport programme. This programme concentrates particularly on providing sport and recreational opportunities for disabled people, young and old.

Foundation director John Ledlie said: “We are delighted to be able to support the recreation club of Disability Shetland over the next three years. The club provides an excellent opportunity for people with disabilities in Shetland to participate in a range of healthy and enjoyable sports and recreational activities. We send our best wishes to the club and hope that it now goes from strength to strength.”

Recreational club co-ordinator Sarah Johnston said the funding would be split equally over the next three years, which helped to provide continuity of service to clients and the sustainability of the club. The club also receives funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust, The Robertson Trust and Shetland Islands Council.

Mrs Johnston said: “We are delighted that The Peter Harrison Foundation has made this very generous financial award. It is excellent that this is over a three-year period as it helps to reduce the amount of time and energy used preparing funding bids and allows us to concentrate on improving services to our clients.”