LOCAL MSP Kenneth Gibson has pledged his support for Family Fund, the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

Family Fund supported 6,176 families with grants worth £2.9 million in Scotland last year. The charity provides grants for a wide range of items, such as kitchen appliances, sensory toys, family breaks, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment and clothing.

Family Fund also provided 1,751 Take a Break grants for families in Scotland last year which supports carers and their families to take a break, and help improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of the whole family.

Mr Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, said: “I’m proud that the SNP Government funds this work to support disabled children and young people and I pledge to support Family Fund’s commitment to provide 15,000 grants and services to families across the Scotland by 2022.”

Salena Begley MBE, Scotland Partnership Development Manager for Family Fund, added: “Getting it right for every child and improving the outcomes and wellbeing of disabled and seriously ill children and young people in Scotland is at the heart of what we do in Family Fund. Raising a disabled child can be up to three times more expensive compared with other children.

“Throughout 2018 Family Fund will be celebrating the achievements of disabled young people in Scotland as part of the as part of the Year of Young People. We are grateful for the continuing support from the SNP Government and are committed to doing more to improve the outcomes for disabled children and young people over the coming years.”

Grant applications and further information on who Family Fund helps can be found at www. familyfund.org.uk or by calling 01904 550055.