A number of projects across Fife and Central Scotland have been given the go-ahead thanks to almost £9,000 worth of grants from the ScotRail Foundation Cultural and Arts Fund.

Gallatown Bike Hub in Kirkcaldy has been awarded £4,440 to help fund a recovery and restoration project. The programme will help people with long-term health problems, and long-term addiction issues, learn how to strip and rebuild a donated bike, and will work with a local artist to create a unique design for their bike.

Fife artist Emma Ainsley has been awarded £1,840 to help deliver a programme of activities aimed at older people in Dundee. Participants will be involved in the production of a “Great Journeys” themed CD, which could include sounds, dialogue, songs, stories and poetry.

The aim of the sessions is to encourage and inspire older people with dementia to take part in creative art work, and to bring about new creative possibilities.

A grant of £1,660 has been given to Kinghorn Rowing Club to buy equipment and deliver two sporting events – a winter regatta at Kinghorn Loch and a summer ‘row and picnic’ event in Inchcolm. The events will provide two fun and interesting days for the community and are open to anyone who is involved or interested in the sport.

Strathfillan Community Development Trust has been awarded £780 to help run the Saplings Summer Sessions in July and August 2019. The weekly programme of events over the summer holidays will provide the opportunity for children in Stirling to enjoy fun, educational and outdoor activities to boost their health and well-being.

A total of £60,215 has been awarded to 18 groups and individuals throughout the country in the latest round of funding, and is the largest grant the Cultural and Arts Fund has ever made.

The ScotRail Foundation is part of the ‘ScotRail in the Community’ initiative and aims to empower residents making a positive difference in their local community.

Applications are taken from groups or individuals across Scotland looking to fund arts, community recreation, or sports activities in the vicinity of a train station, or with a travel or safety theme.

ScotRail Alliance Head of Economic and Community Development James Ledgerwood said: “It’s fantastic to see the real difference that these grants are making to the lives of people throughout Fife, Central Scotland and the surrounding areas, bringing communities together.

“We know how important the railway is to the communities we serve, and we want to do all we can to strengthen and support that link.”

Foundation Scotland Chief Executive Officer Giles Ruck said: “We have been working with the ScotRail Foundation since 2016 supporting grassroot projects across Scotland.

This latest round has attracted a number of projects which will connect communities to their railway stations, bringing colour and vibrancy to the stations and the thousands of travellers who pass through each day.”