CLYDEBANK’S Dynamite Gymnastic Club are looking to expand opportunities for young people with additional needs following a recent funding boost.

Members of the club were doing cartwheels when Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund awarded them £5,000.

By securing the funding, the club will be able to expand opportunities further for youngsters, in particular those with additional needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, to join in on mainstream classes and by providing tailored sessions with a focus on acrobatic gymnastics.

The current rebound equipment was upgraded to invest in new safety and carpet roll mats.

Ellena Devitt, the club’s head coach, said: “Our club works with communities that sit in the top five per cent of most deprived SIMD [Scottish Index on Multiple Deprivation] areas.

“It relies on support in order to invest in quality to allow better opportunities in creating a healthy lifestyle that can be maintained by our members.

“Thanks to the support of the FlightPath Fund, we were able to purchase the right equipment that can be used by all participants regardless of level and age they are training at and allows for the learning of new skills in a safe environment.”

Councillor Marie McNair, who represents West Dunbartonshire Council on the FlightPath Fund committee, and who presented the cheque, said: “Dynamite Gymnastics is a fantastic club run entirely by volunteers who work extremely hard to support their 600 members who attend from across the west of Scotland to hone their skills.

“We were really impressed with the application from Dynamite Gymnastics, and in particular the club’s efforts to ensure young people of all ability levels are given the chance to learn a broad range of gymnastic activities in a fun and safe environment.”

Sixty-five local charities and groups this year have received more than £115,000 in awards from the fund that supports community groups and charities.

To find out more about applying for funding support visit glasgowairport.com/community.