Clydebank youths are set to benefit from a £19million fund seized from criminals by the Scottish Government, writes Evie Donaldson.

Scottish Sports Futures is one of 24 charities to be awarded funding from the CashBack for Communities scheme, which reinvests criminal assets into good causes.

The sporting charity provides accredited athletic training to young people age 10-24 in Clydebank and other areas in Scotland.

Their Education Through CashBack training scheme operates in Clydebank and offers qualifications to young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

It also helps to train practitioners working with vulnerable youths in deprived areas, enabling them to create positive change in the community through sports.

A spokesperson from Scottish Sports Futures said: “We are delighted to have been successful with the CashBack for Communities phase five funding.

“This will allow us to change the lives of young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system because of circumstances often out with their control.”

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Scottish Sports Future said: “Young people are truly at the heart of everything we deliver.”

“We are proud that we will be working with love, care and empathy to support young people into positive destinations.”

Since 2008, CashBack for Communities has invested £110m into youth-based projects using money confiscated from criminal activity.

The funds are awarded to charities aimed at helping young people avoid the pitfalls in life that can lead to criminal behaviour, working to end the cycle of crime in communities.

Humza Yousaf, Justice secretary, said: “We are working hard to tackle the root causes of crime and disorder through early intervention and to ensure those effected have support in place.“Since the programme began in 2008, we have delivered over 2.5 million activities and opportunities across Scotland.”

Humza Yousaf added: “I am delighted that many further young people will be supported and inspired over the next three years.”

Clydebank will be one of 29 locations across the country to benefit from the funding awarded to Scottish Sports Futures in the coming months.