AVA Magazine: July 22

AVA | July 2022 11
Murray Park Trust
Awarded: £9,731
How the money will be spent: We applied to the CMHW fund to
seek support to improve the quality of paths in Murray Park to
create a loop walk suitable for the first time for those using mobility
scooters and with buggies/pushchairs as well as improving access
along paths where path quality has declined. This deterioration
was much exacerbated by fallen and hung-up trees and ground
disturbance by windthrown root plates as a consequence of
the impact of Storm Arwen and the two subsequent storms. In
making the main paths usable for the community within 48 hours
of the storm and subsequently undertaking minor path repairs
we encountered many users who commented on how much
they valued the accessible greenspace and its importance to
their wellbeing. The Murray Park Trust recognises the enormous
contribution to physical and mental health and wellbeing
created by accessible local greenspace.
Update: The amazing new all-abilities trail
is now complete. We are very grateful
to Mackie Plant Hire and Willie Reid the
digger driver who did a great job and
W&W Mackie provided the materials at
a generous rate and transported them to
us for free, to Ally Crawford for the loan of
a roller and the Men’s Shed and the late
Drew Leslie for loan of machinery. Thanks
too to Breedons who gave us four free
loads. Bill Slee was the co-ordinator of the
project and head raker of the gravel but
the real star is Charlie Taylor who did most of
the work, ranging from driving the dumper
truck and roller to creating the culverts with
some nifty chain saw and timber work. The
path has been tested by Annie on her
mobility scooter who is delighted by it and
a two year old on a balance bike has also
enjoyed it, along with many families.
Friends of People First Fraserburgh
Awarded: £26,705
How the money will be spent:
Friends of People First Fraserburgh applied to fund staff costs at Real Living Wage level; Utilities/
running costs; Volunteer expenses; Transport and Training costs.
The organisation intends to keep the drop-in centre open and to promote People First throughout
the community to extend its reach and membership. Lighthouse Rock (music group) will continue
to enjoy a good singsong every Friday afternoon and hopefully resume performing for the local
community once restrictions are relaxed. They hope to resume their percussion group, which has
given many members with complex needs the ability to take part in and enjoy a group activity.
They are also looking to restart the IT class. Prior to the pandemic the footfall at the drop-in centre
was an average of 39 per week. The music class had 11 regular attendees, the drumming class
had 4 regular attendees and the IT class had 7 regular attendees. They hope to get back to and
increase these numbers.