A DUNFERMLINE group received a Christmas boost after scooping a lottery grant.

The Touch Trust has been awarded a National Lottery grant of £10,000 which will be used for its winter support programme.

The initiative is aimed at helping ease the cost-of-living crisis including a warm room initiative, hot meals and community care packages.

Its director, Ally Greenshields, said: “We are absolutely over the moon as this funding will allow us to further grow into our community, bring people together and offer support, care and stability as we move into an uncertain winter.”

A total of 246 community projects across Scotland received cash including the Fife Alcohol Support Service, who were awarded £10,000 to help refurbish their new head office premises used for counselling and training.

The Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers also received £5,195, which will be used to buy an all-terrain mobility scooter for group rambles.

National Lottery Community Fund Scotland chairperson, Kate Still, said: “The connections we have to our family, friends and the wider community makes us feel we are not so alone and that we are part of something bigger. The strength and comfort that we draw from this will be important for us all as we face some challenging times ahead.

“National Lottery players can be proud that they are supporting this vital work, not only during the festive season but all year round. “

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.