Local charity Sport Aberdeen, in partnership with Action for Children has received £69,782 from the Changing Lives through Sport and Physical Activity Fund.

Awarded by Spirit 2012 on behalf of the Changing Lives Operational Group, the funding will enable Sport Aberdeen to support and enhance the delivery of Action for Children’s Priority Family Project and recruit a full time Project Activator.

Sport Aberdeen’s Development Manager – Active Communities, Graeme Dale expressed his delight at receiving the grant:

“This funding will allow us to undertake very important work with families in the greatest need around the city; ensuring that they enjoy better physical and mental health, engaging in healthier behaviours and lifestyle choices

“Our partnership with Action for Children makes perfect sense. We both operate on the premise that promoting inclusion and supporting new opportunities are integral for families to make positive and long lasting changes.”

Commenting, Nicki Martin, Manager at Aberdeen Priority Families, said:

“We are delighted to work with Sport Aberdeen to deliver this innovative piece of work and grateful to the funders for making this a reality. This partnership will allow us to recruit a full time project Activator to increase the physical activities for the families we support at Aberdeen Priority Families.”

This newly created position will specialise in developing physical activity and sporting opportunities for families involved in the project, utilising the benefits that participation in these activities can bring to help positively impact on their lives.

This partnership supporting the Priority Family Project will build on Sport Aberdeen’s Looked After Project, which has been in place for two years and has successfully utilised the power of sport and physical activity to positively affect the lives of looked after children and young people in Aberdeen.

Spirit of 2012’s Chief Executive, Debbie Lye, said:

“Getting people active is a route to making them healthier and happier, which in turn helps build healthier and happier communities.

“Our focus as a funder is to leave behind positive legacies like this, and so we’re delighted to be working with the Scottish Government, sportscotland and the Robertson Trust on the Changing Lives through Sport and Physical Activity Fund – and equally happy to announce that Sport Aberdeen will be one of the organisations who will put our plans into action. We can’t wait to see the results.”

With the aim of ensuring a tangible and lasting impact, the project will look to help families develop new interests, promoting and provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together through outings and sporting activities.

The Priority Family Project aligns with Sport Aberdeen’s vision of creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives by using physical activity and sport to effect change on the whole family.