Port of Cromarty Firth reflects on year of Highland donations totalling nearly £36,000; recipients included the Highland Hospice, RNLI, the Invergordon schools catchment, Heartstone, and the Cromarty Community Care Project, among others
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TENS of thousands of pounds of donations have boosted a string of good causes around the Cromarty Firth – thanks to the efforts of a local port.
The Port of Cromarty Firth donated almost £36,000 to a number of worthy causes in 2019 through its Community Sponsorship Programme. And the final tally of £35,922.98, marked a 24 per cent increase on 2018’s total of £28,974.57.
Among those to receive Port funding in December was Heartstone, which was awarded £2500 towards an environmental and historical photodocumentary and exhibition based on Clan Munro land surrounding the Cromarty Firth.
A donation of £750 was also given to Invergordon’s primary schools – Park, Milton, Newmore and South Lodge – to be put towards the transport costs of their P7 trips.
Other recipients in 2019 included Cromarty Community Care Project, which received £1000 for the maintenance and insurance of its ‘Cycling Without Age’ trishaws, Invergordon Golf Club which was pledged £8000 over two years to support an apprentice greenkeeper, and Community Spirit Invergordon’s Christmas Fayre in December which was given £1200.
Recipients also included:
- Dalmore in WWI and WWII in partnership with Invergordon Museum (£1,500 for its heritage project on the role of Dalmore in the wars);
- Highland Girls FC (£950 towards a new football kit and tournament, with the winners receiving a Port of Cromarty Firth Shield);
- SR Film Photography (£2,000 towards the filming of its documentary, One Shot Inchindown);
- Rosemarkie Beach Caves (£2,000 for completing cave excavation on the Black Isle);
- Saltburn & Westwood Community Council (£1,300 for its Christmas lights);
- Nigg Community Hall (£600 for secondary glazing);
- RNLI (£500);
- Highland Hospice (£700).
Bob Buskie, chief executive of the port, said: “The Community Sponsorship Programme is of great importance to the Port. We love working closely with the communities that border the Firth and learning about the projects close to their hearts.
“Every year the submissions to the programme provide us with a fantastic insight into the important work that goes on around the area. We look forward to hearing from organisations in 2020 and seeing what local dreams we can help turn into reality.”
The Community Sponsorship Programme aspires to improve, safeguard and develop Cromarty Firth communities, for the benefit of the local people. One per cent of the Port’s surplus is channelled into the programme.
Community projects, schools or local charities based in one of the nine communities that border the Cromarty Firth are welcome to apply for support.
They can do so by submitting an application form stating the project’s objectives, aspirations and the benefits to the community, along with a letter/email of support from their local Community Council.
Projects must be collaborative and meet one of four criteria: skills development, employability or job creation, vessel crew or passenger support, environmental protection or enhancement, events or projects which encourage inter-community collaboration.
Applications are reviewed quarterly basis. Deadlines are the last days of March, June, September and December. Forms are available from cfpa@cfpa.co.uk
