Scotch Whisky Action Fund awards first donations

The Scotch Whisky Action Fund has awarded its first donations to eight local initiatives working to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland.

The Scotch Whisky Action Fund has made its first donations to eight local initiatives in Scotland tackling alcohol misuse

The £500,000 fund was established in December 2013 by the Scotch Whisky Association and is managed by independent charity, Foundation Scotland.

As an extension of the SWA’s commitment to addressing alcohol misuse and encouraging responsible drinking, the Scotch Whisky Action Fund will donate £100,00 each year from 2014 to 2018 to projects working to reduce alcohol harm in Scotland.

“We are delighted to support initiatives doing such worthwhile work to tackle alcohol misuse across Scotland,” commented David Frost, SWA chief executive. “We are committed to this cause and want to help projects on the ground which are helping young people, communities and families deal with the consequences of misuse.

“Such intervention can help people realise the damage that can be done to their own health and the impact on those around them.”

Ranging from Islay to Aberdeenshire, the initiatives are split between those that work with young people under 18-years-old, families and communities.

For young people, they include Youth Alive, Dumfries and Galloway; Mentor Foundation, Falkirk, Islay & Jura Community Enterprise, Argyll & Bute; Clued Up, Fife; and Saltcoats Youth Action Group, North Ayrshire.

For families, a donation was given to Carers of West Dumbartonshire, and for communities, donations were awarded to you Decide – Space Unlimited, Inverclyde; and Outside the Box Development Support, South Lanakshire, Highland and Central Aberdeenshire.

“When consumed responsibly alcohol is a normal part of Scottish life and brings benefits to the economy and society,” Frost added.

“We want to tackle alcohol-related harm and the Scotch Whisky Action Fund is just one way of doing this.”

Academic professor Dame Joan K Stringer was recently appointed as chairman of the Scotch Whisky Action Fund, and will lead the Awards Panel that selects projects to receive funding next year.