COMMUNITY groups in Govan have spoken of their delight after funding to fight coronavirus was doubled.

Govan received a bumper cash boost of £200,000 in recent weeks from the Scottish Government.

Now additional funding of another £200,000 has been secured.

The funding comes from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund – designed to help Scottish communities fight the effects of coronavirus.

Hardworking organisations – many performing a vital role - have been given the money to deliver assistance in various ways to local people whose lives have been thrown into turmoil by the health emergency.

The good news on further funding was delivered by Govan’s Covid-19 Temporary Emergency Funding Group, which is tasked with co-ordinating the distribution of Scottish Government money and which applied for the additional cash.

Councillor Richard Bell of the Covid-19 Temporary Emergency Funding Group said: “This extra £200,000 is a fantastic development which injects new impetus into our work – and the work of our incredible local organisations – to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

“We have never underestimated the task facing us as we combat its effects but the community in Govan has risen to the challenge remarkably.

“We are immensely grateful for everything which is being done to help our community from the Scottish Government money right down to the day-to-day activity – much of it by volunteers – which is making a real difference.

“I also want to thank the efforts of staff at Linthouse, Elderpark and Govan Housing Associations, colleagues at Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership for their incredible hard work in ensuring this money gets to where it is really needed.”

The original funding has had a widespread impact already with cash quickly distributed to help people.

Some examples of funding include help for individuals seeking employment, providing opportunities to learn new digital skills, emergency food packages for vulnerable and isolated people and money to defeat domestic abuse.

The group is made up of Linthouse, Govan and Elderpark Housing Associations and regeneration group Govan Thriving Place along with the four councillors from the Govan ward.

The group is supported by staff from Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.

Details of how the money will be distributed can be found on Govan, Elderpark and Linthouse Housing Associations’ websites.