RESPECTED housebuilder CALA Homes (East), in partnership with the Courier, has unveiled a £10,000 community grants scheme for East Lothian as part of its commitment to delivering long-term and tangible benefits to the county.

Community groups, charities and good causes are invited to outline how financial aid from the CALA Homes Community Bursary – up to a maximum individual grant of £2,500 – would help them continue to deliver much-needed services and benefits to East Lothian.

The partnership sees the housebuilder provide the funding for the initiative while the Courier is ensuring awareness of the scheme reaches every corner of the county.

Derek Lawson, strategic land director with CALA Homes, said: “Hard-working groups are doing brilliant and vital work all across East Lothian, including local charities, children’s causes, educational and community organisations. They make a real difference to their communities.

“They operate on very tight budgets and every day is a struggle when it comes to eking out the funds that keep them functioning.

“So, any sort of financial help or support can make a huge difference and they make such money go an incredibly long way.

“We hope that our scheme can reach as many deserving groups as possible and make a real difference to some of these excellent causes.”

Courier editor Robbie Scott, who is also sitting on the selection panel, was delighted that CALA was committing such a significant sum of money.

He added: “It’s gratifying to see a business which is so active in East Lothian stepping up in this way to make such a welcome contribution to the fabric of life in the county.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with CALA Homes so that the cash is disbursed as carefully and thoughtfully as possible to bring the maximum benefit to the people of East Lothian.

“But, most of all, I’d urge the countless fantastic groups doing great work in our county to take advantage of this great opportunity and apply straight away!”

Groups keen to apply should complete and cut-out the application form in this week's Courier and post it to: Community Bursary, East Marketing Department, CALA Homes (East), Cairnlee House, Callander Business Park, Falkirk, FK1 1XE.

Alternatively, by emailing eastbursary@cala.co.uk you can receive an application form via email, which can be completed and submitted via email, or which can be printed out and posted to the postal address, above. Applications must be received no later than Friday, May 19, 2017.

The selection panel will include CALA staff drawn from varied areas of the business, including surveying, architecture, planning and customer service.

Mr Lawson, who will chair the panel, added: “CALA Homes has a long and proud record of delivering high-quality developments across East Lothian and we have a number of such projects pending or under way at the moment.

“We firmly believe that being part of the community means making a real and meaningful contribution and this bursary is our latest commitment to doing just that.”

For more information about the scheme see www.cala.co.uk/bursary

And read next week’s Courier to find out how a similar CALA grants scheme has made a huge difference to community groups in the north-east of the country.

For information on nearby CALA developments, visit www.cala.co.uk