COMMUNITIES across West Dunbartonshire affected by the Covid-19 crisis have benefited from more than £2.5million during the ongoing pandemic.

The local authority has ranked eighth highest out of all 32 across Scotland per capita (£29.75) – after receiving a total of £2,651.420 from across various Scottish Government funds.

A dozen organisations were allocated a share of £183,955 from the Third Sector Resilience Fund, including five Clydebank-based initiatives: Alison Bell Design, Clyde Shopmobility, FireCloud, Isaro Community Initiative, and Antonine Sports Centre.

A further 47 organisations across West Dunbartonshire received a share of £309,165 from the Wellbeing Fund - the 14th highest amount of cash given out across all Scotland’s local authorities.

Clydebank’s MSP, Gil Paterson, said: “It has been vital to inject money into all areas of the Scottish economy to ensure it survives through the coronavirus lockdown.

“I am glad to see so much funding has gone into the third sector of West Dunbartonshire, which has many amazing organisations helping disadvantaged people.”

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West Dunbartonshire Council was also given £684,000 from the Food Fund – which helps to address food insecurity caused by the current crisis.

As a result, £437,000 was spent providing food and vouchers, £239,000 was given to foodbanks to support additional food supplies and staff and £8,000 was used for volunteers’ expenses such as petrol costs.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “To support residents during Covid-19, West Dunbartonshire Council mobilised a Crisis Support Team and a Volunteer Management Team to assist vulnerable residents access emergency help and to ensure all vulnerable groups were fully supported.

“The council also worked with Food For Thought and Community Food Share in supplying emergency food deliveries, food vouchers, access to food banks and collecting groceries.

“The council also supported Golden Friendships who delivered 1,300 lunches every week.”

Martin Docherty-Hughes, Clydebank’s MP, said: “These organisations make up the backbone of communities the length and breadth of West Dunbartonshire, especially given their continued extraordinary efforts as we battle Covid-19.”