Two community groups in East Ayrshire have been awarded vital National Lottery funding to support thousands of people in the area.

The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 303 projects across Scotland, with a total of £7,690,005 awarded.

One group to benefit from the latest grant round are Kilmarnock based charity, Partners For Inclusion Limited.

They have been awarded £3,240 to run their Beat Battle DJ group, which offers people with learning disabilities an opportunity to learn new DJ skills and perform at events.

The group’s goal is to make music and DJing more inclusive for people living with disabilities in East Ayrshire, including 38-year-old Paul Garrod.

Paul said: “Beat Battle DJs because it gets me outside of the house doing my favourite hobby.

"I find the group meaningful because it is my favourite hobby that I can do with my friends.” 

Project leader Julie Lynn added: “The Beat Battle DJs are profoundly grateful for the grant that The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded us.

"Due to lack of equipment the group was unable to perform at events before. This grant award has given new life to the group.

"The DJs have already been hard at work getting the equipment up and running and will perform their first event in December.

"Thank you for allowing this group to continue its important inclusive work for the community.” 

Another group to receive funding is the East Ayrshire Carers Centre who were awarded £198,864 to provide support for young carers aged through weekly support groups.

The groups will give them opportunities to socialise and improve their wellbeing through activities like sports, art, life skills and one to one support.  

Ryan Duffy, the centre's young carers development manager, said: "This has had a massive impact on our organisation.

"Without funding we wouldn't be able to give our young carers the opportunities we have been able to.

"We wouldn't be able to provide Christmas presents to all our young carers in East Ayrshire, or respite breaks so the young carers have a break from their caring role or the groups they attend weekly." 

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.  

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk .