A VITAL community hub has been saved from closure after the group working to buy the building received funding of almost £160,000 to aid their efforts.

The Red Cross hall in East Princes Street, which has been a permanent fixture in Helensburgh for around half a century, was set to shut at the end of 2019 after the charity which owns the premises, British Red Cross, announced they were giving up control.

However, combined efforts from volunteer organisations that regularly use the centre, including the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, as well as input from local councillors and members of the public, have forced a breakthrough in the community’s bid to preserve it as an important hub to benefit everyone in the town, particularly the most vulnerable.

Commenting after the announcement of a £159,936 funding award from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) to acquire the hall, Burgh councillor Lorna Douglas, chair of the Helensburgh Community Hall board, said: “We are delighted that we have been successful in our award from the Scottish Land Fund for the purchase of the Red Cross hall, for the benefit of the Helensburgh community.

READ MORE: Community buy-out bid launched for Red Cross hall in Helensburgh

“The committee have put an incredible amount of work into achieving this and have at all times been encouraged by the support of the local community.

“We are now looking forward to promoting our vision of Helensburgh as a strong, compassionate and inclusive community.

“The hub will be a welcoming space where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and will provide opportunities for people to socialise, volunteer and participate in activities that promote our health and wellbeing.”

The Helensburgh Community Hall group was established at the end of 2019 to coordinate efforts to save the Red Cross building and members will shortly be launching a crowdfunding campaign to help with the initial costs of the buy-out. The SLF contributes up to 95 per cent of costs for the project.

The Burgh group, which was officially recognised as a registered charity this week, received the largest handout among 21 schemes across the country who shared in a total funding award of £1,667,987 as part of the recent round of grants from the Scottish Government sponsored programme.

READ MORE: Lockdown sees spike in Helensburgh food bank demand as pandemic bites

John Watt, Scottish Land Fund committee chair, said: “Groups from all across Scotland are making a real impact to their communities with a wide range of ambitious projects that deliver tangible benefits to the people who live there, and the Scottish Land Fund is delighted to be able to support them.”

As well as hosting the food bank’s regular sessions, the East Princes Street facility is also home to a weekly book sale, arts and craft classes and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

In October last year, more than 2,500 people signed a petition in support of a community buy-out of the centre.

Marie Hayes, UK director for independent living for from the British Red Cross, added: “This is a very welcome outcome for everyone.

“We look forward to seeing the hall continue as an asset for the community from where important services will be delivered.

“This announcement also allows the Red Cross to still be present in Helensburgh and we are delighted that we’ll continue to work very closely with the new owners of the hall.”

The Helensburgh Community Hall committee is made up of: Councillor Lorna Douglas (chair), Mary McGinley (chair of Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank), Douglas Sammon, David Nicoll, Fiona Baker, Jayne Burnett, Jeremy Young, Ron Senior and Jean Senior.

The board is supported by Katrina Sayer, minutes secretary, and the company secretary and treasurer is Nicola Beattie. Brian Sayer was also a member of the committee for a large part of the process but stood down due to a period of ill health.

Click here to read all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond headlines