University fund helps local causes

Tackling domestic abuse and making PPE (personal protective equipment) are some of the latest causes to benefit from the University of St Andrews Community Fund.

The £30,000-a-year fund was launched in April to support groups and activities in St Andrews and the surrounding area.

Applications are accepted from organisations and groups from across Fife, providing their activities have an impact on St Andrews and the neighbouring communities or demonstrate a clear opportunity to increase engagement with the University.

Among the latest causes to benefit is Saje Scotland Ltd which will receive £2,000 towards their provision of online programmes and support for women and girls, particularly during lockdown, who have or are experiencing domestic abuse.

Saje Scotland Ltd is a Fife-wide charity which provides courses and support free of charge as part of their aims to motivate, encourage and enable survivors of domestic abuse to live independently without fear, to reduce victimisation and provide victims with the knowledge they need to prevent re-victimisation.

The St Andrews Community Protective Visor 3D Printing Initiative will receive £250 for their work creating Covid-19 PPE visors to donate to local care homes, NHS facilities and businesses.

The Friends of Craigtoun Country Park will receive £3,000 to refurbish the St Andrews park’s Lodge Garden which is currently in a state of disrepair. Retaining walls will be constructed, raised beds created and the existing pond will be repaired alongside clearance of weeds and new planting.