Community council invests in the future

Community councillors Eric Appelbe and Lauralin Scott at Larbert's cycle track. Picture: Michael Gillen

Fraser Johnston, a medical student and former head boy of Larbert High School, is the first to receive funds from the Todhill (Larbert, Stenhousemuir & Torwood) Community Fund.

The fund was set up by Larbert, Stenhousemuir & Torwood Community Council with £1500 it will receive annually from the Todhill windfarm to operate a micro-grant scheme for community initiatives. Individuals and groups can apply for up to £250 from the fund for projects that will benefit the local community and Fraser’s enthusiasm to inspire youngsters in a healthy pursuit won him a slice of the pie.

The 19-year-old is a member of Falkirk Bike Club and is involved with coaching the junior section. The £180 he’ll get from the grant scheme will pay for him to do British Cycling’s Level 2 Road and Time-Trial Coaching Award.

The award gives recipients the qualifications to plan, deliver and evaluate a series of safe, ethical and effective road and time trial coaching sessions and progress riders from their first road and time-trial session to their first competition.

Fraser, who was at a coaching session in Fort William with British Cycling last weekend, said: “It’s great that the community council has granted me these funds to do this award.

“Hopefully some of the juniors will go on and take up racing.”

Yvonne Weir, secretary of the community council, said: “Fraser is such an impressive young man. This is exactly the type of thing the fund was created for.”

For more information on the community fund visit  http://lstcommunitycouncil.org.uk.