Athletics Trust Scotland awards first Transforming Lives grants

Bottom left – Paolo Maccagno founded Runforever at HMP & YOI Grampian; Bottom right  – Corstorphine AAC is receiving support for its FrameRunning section.

A jogscotland group for offenders and ex-offenders, set up in collaboration with HMP & YOI Grampian, is among the first beneficiaries of Athletics Trust Scotland’s Transforming Lives programme.

With a special emphasis on those often underrepresented in the sport,  ATS is supporting ten organisations so that disadvantaged communities can benefit from the social, physical and mental wellbeing benefits of participation in running and athletics.

Funds for ATS, a charitable trust set up by scottishathletics, have been raised by Scotland’s 17,000 club runners, businesses and grant funding organisations, through a series of initiatives launched by the charity.

The Runforever project featured in Stride magazine earlier this year as we focussed on its work with offenders and ex-offenders. Founder, Paolo Maccagno (pictured above, bottom left) said: “Early this year we launched a jogscotland group in collaboration with Peterhead prison (HMP & YOI Grampian) to improve health and well-being, promote a healthy prison environment, and nurture systemic change.

“The grant will enable the continuation of this impactful jogscotland initiative, benefiting offenders, ex-offenders, marginalised communities, and individuals with various health issues within HMP Grampian and the Aberdeen community, with an estimated 60-80 participants.”

Also receiving an award is Glendale Primary School. The school’s Rhona Proctor said: “Our school is situated in one of the most ethnically & culturally diverse communities in Scotland.

“We are setting up an afterschool club to provide support and help the children with the costs of running trainers and clothing to funding transport costs to the local parkrun.

“We also hope to start a jogscotland group for mothers. This grant will benefit up to 25 children and potentially numerous mothers in the community, encouraging inclusivity and well-being.”

Graeme Jack, Chair of Athletics Trust Scotland said, “Scotland is already punching above its weight on a world stage in athletics and running and there is a real appetite and opportunity to transform lives by broadening participation in all of our communities, supporting physical and mental health.

“We’re a young charity and I would like to think that this is only the start. Scotland’s runners, athletes and businesses who have already participated can be very proud that they are helping others and we look forward to building on this initial success in the coming year.”

The full list of organisations that are receiving support in this round include:

• Corstorphine AAC – Supporting the Frame Running Group to purchase spare parts to allow equipment to be more adaptable.
• Aberdeen AAC – Supporting para-athletes through an accessible fund and to purchase spare parts for para athletics equipment.
• Runforever – Supporting ongoing costs for a running club within HMP & YOI Grampian, benefiting inmates, ex-offenders, marginalised communities, and individuals with mental health issues.
• Shettleston Harriers – Supporting costs for athletics equipment, including RunJumpThrow Equipment Bags, in a targeted deprived area.
• Glendale Primary – Located in one of the ethnically & culturally diverse areas in Scotland. Supporting the delivery of an afterschool athletics club and the costs to purchase trainers and clothes to those families in poverty. Also to support a running club for Mothers of the school to help the purchase of apparel and trainers.
• St Margaret Mary’s Secondary – Supporting a running club for girls in an area of high deprivation and diverse communities through the purchasing of sports bras, trainers, transport costs to parkruns and educating and buying of period products to allow them to be more comfortable in the sport.
• Dundee Utd. Comm Trust – Supporting primary and secondary-aged run, jump, and throw participants by funding equipment and coaching qualifications of whom a high percentage are from deprived areas in Dundee.
• Perth Strathtay Harriers – Supporting ongoing costs for nightly facility fees for junior age group athletes over a six-month winter session block, including athletes from deprived areas and those with disabilities.
• North Ayrshire AC – Supporting costs for a healthy snack initiative and purchasing new kit for a multi-sports session for athletes with additional support needs.
• James Hamilton Primary – Supporting ongoing costs for an afterschool athletics club mainly to purchase athletics and running equipment that is lacking and in an area of high deprivation in East Ayshire.

For those who wish to support the cause, please visit the organisation’s website at athleticstrustscotland.org.uk/support or contact Fundraising Lead Kyle Greig at kyle.greig@athleticstrustscotland.org.uk.