Three groups awarded Loot for Lerwick funding after public vote
THREE local organisations scooped funding at the return of a participatory budgeting event hosted by Lerwick Community Council on Saturday.
A funding pot worth a total of £5,000 was on offer at the Loot for Lerwick event, with the public voting on which groups should get a share of the money.
Shetland Women’s Aid and the Shetland Youth Music Festival both secured £2,000 each, while Shetland Youth Orchestra was given £1,000.
Lerwick Boating Club, Shetland Community Choir and the Staney Hill Hall were also in the running but did not win any funding.
There was a somewhat musical theme to the event at the Islesburgh Community Centre, with both the youth orchestra and community choir performing for the punters.
Lerwick Community Council chairman Jim Anderson said a total of 106 votes were cast by the public.
He also thanked Islesburgh for providing the venue and helping groups set up.
The community council provided the money through its own funds.
Shetland Women’s Aid put itself forward for £2,000 to go towards a project to give those who have escaped domestic abuse a fresh start, with a focus on essentials such as clothing, furniture and home security measures.
Shetland Youth Music Festival also went for £2,000 to help pay for the hire of Mareel for this year’s event.
Shetland Youth Orchestra sought £1,000 for music, refreshments and its summer school.
The Staney Hill Hall had bid for £2,000 to improve energy efficiency, while Lerwick Boating Club asked for £1,000 to fund a new rowing machine.
Meanwhile the Shetland Community Choir sought £500 for a weekend of ‘singing from scratch’ in May 2024.
People attending the event were able to hear from the six groups before ranking the projects on a voting paper.
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