Cromarty rowers hopeful of hub cash windfall
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ROWERS in the Black Isle are a step nearer securing funding that could help give them a communal hub – but they need public votes to boost the cash they receive.
Cromarty Community Rowing Club has been shortlisted to become one of the latest recipients of funding from Scotmid’s Commmunity Connect grant scheme, which hands out funds generated from the sale of single-use carrier bags.
The club is hoping to win up to £15,000 in order to construct a new building to store two skiff boats and help it as it continues to grow. The new building would also store equipment and act as a hub for all of the club’s old and young members to gather, arrange training and enjoy being part of the organisation.
But it is up against projects in Angus and Kincardineshire for the top grant. Those who finish second and third would receive grants of £7500 and £2500 respectively.
Robert Hogg, Cromarty Community Rowing Club’s community boat builder, said: "The progress we have made is way beyond what we could have ever expected.
"It has really galvanised our whole community and the rowing club has been a huge success.
"We’re delighted to have made the shortlist for the Community Connect awards and the funding will make a huge difference towards helping us grow and improve the club."
Community Connect was launched last year and enables Scotmid members to award cash to good causes in their local area.
Scotmid’s north member region covers Inverness and the Highlands, Dundee, Aberdeen and Perth.
In the latest round the two other hopefuls are The Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust in Forfar and Home-Start Kincardine.
Scotmid members collect votes by swiping their Community Connect card after every in-store purchase and then cast their votes for their preferred good cause group.
Established in 2016, Cromarty Community Rowing Club now has 204 members – nearly a quarter of the town’s population.
Its members range in age from eight to 79.
