LOCAL GROUPS BENEFIT FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BLITZ ON CROOKS

'CASHBACK FOR COMMUNITIES' RECEIVES FUNDS SEIZED AS PROCEEDS OF CRIME

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has announced that million pounds of crooks' money will be distributed between more than 230 youth projects right across Scotland.

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and local MSP Stewart Stevenson have hailed this significant boost to a number of local youth projects in the North-east. The successful applicants for a share of Round Three CashBack for Communities YouthLink Scotland funding - money seized from organised crime gangs but returned to communities to encourage healthy activities – include several within Banff & Buchan.

Aberdeenshire is also punching above its weight in the funding stakes with the amount Aberdeenshire is receiving being above it's pro-rata level of 5.5% of all funding announced, compared to a pro-rata population of 4.7%.

Welcoming the announcement from the Justice Secretary, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"It is particularly pleasing that so many local groups are benefiting from this scheme at a time when funding is in short supply. Pressure on the lottery from the London Olympics and the economic downturn means it is becoming more difficult for organisations to access funding.

"I'm therefore delighted that this Scottish Government scheme which aims to deprive criminals of their assets is helping our communities in this way."

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

"CashBack for Communities is a programme of diversionary activities for young people to increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way.

"Using funds recovered from the proceeds of crime, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £13 million in a range of CashBack projects for young people."

Note:

Among the local groups to benefit from the Cashback for Communities scheme are:

£2,515.00 Mintlaw Youth group - Central Buchan Youth Forum
To train the young people to run the café and achieve certificates in Emergency first aid, elementary food hygiene and confidence to cook

£480.00 St Fergus School Sailing Club
Sailing lessons

£10,000.00 Grampian Police Rock Challenge
A performing arts initiative that delivers messages relating to alcohol, anti social behaviour and substance use and misuse

£4324.00 Banff Area Youth Forum
Continuation of youth work service to young people aged 16+

£3596.00 Peterhead Action Group
To deliver summer activiites

£10,000.00 Brighter Horizons
Increase opening hours of drop in. Car driving initiative. Get up and go. Summer programme. Young mum's group. Train youth volunteers - youth work training. Streetwork. Football sessions. Decorate 2 rooms in the facility

£2356.00 Aberdeenshire Council (1)
For stage 3 of Youth Scotland's involvement training, young trainers will put on 6 training events open to all young people

£3614.00 Aberdeenshire Council (2)
To put on 3 conferences within Aberdeenshire