The boss of Glasgow Airport says it makes him “proud” to see so many groups benefiting from the grant scheme aimed at helping communities who live close to the travel hub.

Ronald Leitch was speaking at an event to mark the international airport’s FlightPath Fund giving £120,000 in support to 62 charities and community groups across West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Glasgow, and East Dunbartonshire in 2023.

This figure included £42,000 to good causes in West Dunbartonshire, such as £4,700 to fund a mental health and well-being project set up by Carers of West Dunbartonshire and £2,700 to Clydebank Community Sports Hub to put on musical support sessions for local adults with complex needs.

And Mr Leitch explained these groups are exactly why the fund was set up in the first place.

Speaking at the event held at the Clydebank Sports Hub, he said: “Once again it was great to meet with so many of the groups and organisations to have received support from the FlightPath Fund at the end-of-year event.

“The FlightPath Fund plays a key role in how we work with and support our neighbouring communities, particularly given that many of the thousands of people employed across the airport live locally.

“I am incredibly proud of the work the FlightPath Fund has done over the years, and on behalf of everyone at the airport, I would like to give special thanks to its chair Archie Hunter and all the committee members who volunteer their time throughout each year.”

Established in 2010, the FlightPath Fund was set up to provide grant assistance to local organisations working in and around the airport community.

Since its inception, the fund has given £1.8 million in donations to over 800 charities and community groups with a focus on improving education, employment and the environment.

The FlightPath Fund committee includes elected members or representatives from each of the four council areas that neighbour the airport, operates independently of the airport and meets every two months.

The airport’s passengers also play an important role by contributing unused currency through our FlightPath Fund collection globes placed throughout the terminal.

This year nearly £10,000 was collected via the globes.

Archie Hunter, the fund’s chair,  said: “The FlightPath Fund has continued to have a positive impact on the neighbouring communities surrounding the airport during the last 13 years.

“It is no overstatement to say that the £1.8m awarded during this time has made a huge difference to the lives of many people across Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire.

“Everyone who works at Glasgow Airport, and the many passengers who contribute through the charity collection globes throughout the terminal, should be rightly proud of work carried out by the FlightPath Fund as none of it would be possible without their continued support.”

Mr Leitch and Mr Hunter were joined by local politicians Martin Docherty-Hughes MP, MSP Marie McNair, Carol Monaghan MP and Gavin Newlands MP.