PORT Seton Centre is introducing ‘Fundraising Fridays’ to help charities and voluntary organisations raise some extra cash.

The initiative is one of a number of measures introduced by the new centre management committee, who have taken over the lease of the building.

They also include offering small grants to local groups and revising the charges for using the community hall.

The committee said that on one Friday a month the community hall would be made available for charities and voluntary groups to hold fundraisers.

Janice Thomson, chairperson of the new committee, said: “We want to offer the hall to groups, free of charge, on Friday evenings so they can devise and run their own fundraising events.

“As well as Fundraising Fridays, we can now launch a new community small grants fund. Application forms for grants below £400 are available at the centre.” The former Port Seton Advisory Committee left a considerable legacy of donations and grants. More than £25,000 has been donated to local organisations to date.

Grant applications will be considered at the May meeting, with decisions on awards announced in early June.

East Lothian Council offered the community the chance to take greater control of the centre three years ago, and since then they have been working to set up the new management committee.

Helen Bathgate, treasurer, said: “First we took our time to be clear why we wanted increased control of the centre.

“We knew that the hall was rarely used at the weekends as it was very expensive for local groups to hire. So, we have signed a lease for the main letting accommodation in the centre and the lettings policy and charging structure have been revised to encourage more use of all the main halls.

“It has been hard work. Our reward is being able to deliver benefits for the community now and in future years.” To help get ‘Fundraising Fridays’ under way, the committee is inviting interested groups to an information meeting in the centre next Friday (April 24), at 7pm.

This meeting will explain the duties and responsibilities that will be expected of groups, gauge interest, draft an initial timetable, and allow for a question and answer session.

To attend, call the centre on 01875 818181 and give notice of intention to attend, the group(s) represented and the number and names of committee members who will be present.

Information is also available from Paul Thewlis, community development officer, on 01875 818182.