RNLI, Crucial Crew, Kittochside Agricultural Museum and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue receive share of £10,000 in final round

NFU Scotland’s Centenary Trust, which has awarded more than £217,000 to 73 projects across the country during its lifetime, has now been dissolved.

Created to mark the Union’s centenary in 2013, funds for the trust were raised through the generosity of NFU Scotland members as well as a specially-bottled malt whisky organised by the Banffshire branch and sales of a Centenary book.

During its time, the Trust delivered on its key objectives of encouraging as many children as possible to learn more about where their food and drink comes from and to visit a farm; to educate farmers, their employees and their children on health and safety in the countryside, with a special emphasis on children’s safety; and to assist in bringing forward a meaningful apprenticeship programme for the farm sector.

Of the £217,000 awarded in total by the Trust, £145,000 was given to educational activities, with £43,000 for rural training and £29,000 to health and safety projects.

The final four award totalling 10,000 will be given to: £3,840 to Royal National Lifeboat Institute; £1,920 to Crucial Crew; £1,920 to Kittochside Agricultural Museum and £1,920 to Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue.

Projects supported have ranged from schools setting up vegetable gardens to the purchase of ‘milkable’ fibreglass cows that can give pupils a real hands on experience of where their food comes from. This ‘hands on’ approach extended to three countryside classrooms on wheels allowing volunteers to take aspects of the farm direct to young people.

For farm visits, portable handwashing facilities were bought using funds and Trust money has enabled children to attend the Royal Highland Show.

NFU Scotland Centenary Trust Treasurer, George Lawrie commented: “Over the last three years, the fund has helped many projects educate a huge range of people – from farmers and their employees to school children and teachers.

“The RNLI and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue aid farmers and those working on the land, and likewise, in remote areas, if they ever need emergency assistance. Crucial Crew educates children through interactive workshops and the money to Kittochside Agricultural Museum will assist in educating children and visitors about agriculture, including visiting its working farm.

“What has been achieved has been fantastic and we thank all those who have been involved in raising money, giving donations, or submitting applications.

“We are bringing the Trust to a close but it will be great to see projects that have benefited from funding continue to educate and inform in the coming years.  That is a fitting legacy to mark the centenary of the Union in 2013.”

Notes to editors:

• Photographs from projects across the country which have benefitted from funds from the Centenary Trust can be obtained by calling 0131 472 4108 or emailing media@nfus.org.uk

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Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108