Outfit Moray given more than £50k for new buses
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A charity which allows young people to enjoy outdoor pursuits in Moray has just benefited from two separate acts of generosity.
Outfit Moray, which is based in Lossiemouth and currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, gets youngsters involved in activities such as mountain biking, walking, mountaineering and paddle sports.
Now, thanks to support from Moray Chamber of Commerce and the Scottish Government's Just Transition Fund, it is set to buy two replacement minibuses.
Tony Brown, the charity's CEO, said: "The minibuses are critical to our organisation because transport is a real barrier to participation.
"We therefore provide help to enable young people to get out into the outdoors."
Tony, who started as a volunteer with Outfit Moray more than a decade ago, stepped into its head role in 2016.
He said: "Being in the countryside and participating in physical activities has been shown to boost young people's confidence, self-esteem and resilience.
"There's been a rise in anxiety amongst young people, especially since Covid.
"So we believe our work is more important than ever."
One of the charity's vans is 12 years old, badly rusting and becoming beyond economic repair.
It's being replaced thanks to £40,000 from the government fund.
Meanwhile, a separate sum of £13,600 from Moray Chamber of Commerce will go towards buying a second vehicle.
Outfit Moray was selected by a panel of judges to benefit from the chamber's annual dinner which was held last month.
Six prizes were auctioned off, raising more than double the usual amount generated.
Sarah Medcraf, the chamber's CEO, stated this reflected both the quality of the prizes on offer and the popularity of Outfit Moray.
She added: "It's a great charity which has been on the go for 20 years. A new minbus will help them to carry on their work."
As well as running outdoor activities for young people, Outfit Moray also runs Bike Revolution which repairs, sells and even custom builds bikes.
The charity received Royal recognition last week during the visit to Moray of William and Kate who donned cycle helmets and completed an obstacle course.
