A CHARITY which aims to boost youngsters’ self-confidence by getting them out on surf boards has received a six-figure cash boost.

The Wave Project in Dunbar has been awarded £106,000 by the Big Lottery Fund.

The group, which set up its Scottish base in East Lothian more than three years ago, was delighted to receive the funding.

Jamie Marshall, co-ordinator of The Wave Project in Scotland, said: “It is huge for us because it secures our future for the next two years.

“It enables us to try to develop our service to a stage where, hopefully, we are sustainable and become an established service in East Lothian and Edinburgh.”

The group, which surfs at Belhaven, ran a pilot programme in the area in spring 2014, involving 20 young people. Since then, things have “snowballed”, with Mr Marshall telling the Courier the organisation was now working with more than 100 youngsters each year.

The funding has even been discussed at the Scottish Parliament through East Lothian MSP Iain Gray.

He lodged a motion which states: “That the Parliaments welcomes the award of £106,000 of Big Lottery funding for The Wave Project, which is based at Dunbar, East Lothian; understands that the project will use the funding to build its surf therapy and peer mentoring project aimed at young people aged between eight and 24 who are experiencing depression, anxiety or low mood, or who have experienced trauma caused by stress-related events such as bereavement, family breakdown or domestic violence; commends everyone associated with the project for the important work that they are undertaking with young people; and wishes them continued success in the future.”

Afterwards, Mr Gray said: “The Wave Project has enjoyed great success in a short space of time, with much of that being down to the dedication of Jamie Marshall, the project’s co-ordinator.

“I was pleased to acknowledge this significant lottery award for the project, which will assist it to further develop its activities and help even more young people.”