Renewable energy leader, Drax Group has announced the local projects it will support through its new Community Fund, launched last year.
The donations of £500 to £2,000 are for community-led projects which support STEM education and skills, enhance green spaces or improve communities local to its operations.
Lochnell Primary School is to receive funding to buy a DASH Robot, STEM equipment and additional iPads.
Oban Community Council has been successful and will receive a donation towards local planning efforts around community engagement activities.
A contribution will be given to Home-Start Lorn to help it refurbish buildings and creating a family centre in Oban.
And Oban High School is to receive money to help pay for a school rugby trip to France for the girls team.
Murray Hamilton, Principal Teacher of PE and health and wellbeing at Oban High School, said: “We were delighted when we heard about the support from Drax, it is a major boost to the girls’ fundraising. This is the first trip of its kind for a girls’ sports team at Oban High School; we are really proud of our girls and can’t wait to go to France and provide them with this opportunity. The support from Drax will help make it a truly memorable experience.”
And Emma Rossiter, Primary 7 Principal Teacher at Lochnell Primary School, said: “The funding from Drax is game changing for us at Lochnell Primary School. We have been developing STEM opportunities within our curriculum. The Lego Spike Kits and iPads allow us to explore and develop our engineering and coding skills along with critical problem-solving skills and teamwork. Thank you Drax for making this possible.”
Drax owns and operates Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage hydro facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan. Drax announced last year plans to build a new c.£500m underground pumped storage hydro plant at the site, that with the right support from the UK Government would create 1,000 jobs during construction.
Ian Kinnaird, Director of Scottish Assets, Drax Group, said: “Since the acquisition of Cruachan by Drax in 2019, our business has supported a range of initiatives and created apprenticeship opportunities for the local area. Linking us even closer with the communities we operate in and that many of our colleagues live within.
“These donations will provide pupils with the latest technology, help with refurbishing buildings and contribute to school trips, all furthering our commitment to advancing STEM education in our local areas.”
To find out more about the Drax Community Fund and how to apply for funding, go to the website.
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