TWO local charities are over the moon after they received £282,000 in funding between them.

The Big Disability Group, formerly Clydebank Disability Group, bagged £132,252 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Meanwhile LINKES, a Knightswood community-led organisation, was awarded £149,990.

Kevin Crawford, founder of the Big Disability Group, told the Post the funding will allow the group to take on two members of staff.

The group works with West Dunbartonshire residents with disabilities and long term health conditions, and their carers, to identify appropriate services for a range of needs.

Kevin said: “Our service has helped many disabled people take back control of their lives, after many of them had given up asking for help and ended up isolated and alone for years.

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“They are now out socialising with friends, volunteering, back in further education and working part time.

“We are looking to employ a full time coordinator and part time admin assistant to deal with the increase in demand for our service.”

The £149,990 funding for LINKES will be used to deliver a range of community activities to help reduce isolation in Lincoln Avenue and the surrounding areas.

Fatima Mohammed, the group’s vice-chair, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding.

“We want to bring people together to reduce loneliness.

“Our vision is to build a healthy and vibrant community where people have the opportunity to contribute, develop, learn and laugh together. We look forward to working with local people over the next three years to make this vision a reality.”

The group run activities such as a school holiday programme, a senior’s lunch club, both women’s and men’s groups, computer sessions, and community fun days.