WENDY DEMANDS LLOYDS BANK RESCUES RENFREWSHIRE CHARITIES

New figures show £70,000 to Renfrewshire at stake

Local Labour MSP, Wendy Alexander has reacted angrily to news that local Renfrewshire charities will lose thousands in funding after Lloyds TSB wound up its foundation for new charitable applicants.Wendy has obtained new figures showing that over the last 18 months, the foundation has awarded over £70,000 to good causes throughout Renfrewshire.

The Paisley North MSP says she will be questioning Lloyds Banking Group bosses when they appear before the Parliament’s Economy Committee later this month. She wants the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland to retain a funding package that will enable it to continue its charity work.Speaking about the news, Wendy Alexander MSP said:

“This news is a terrible blow to charities throughout Renfrewshire who rely on funding from outside bodies. The Lloyds TSB foundation has consistently supported Renfrewshire groups and we need this goodwill to continue.

“Unless the decision is reversed local organisations like Renfrewshire carers, Paisley’s YMCA, Renfrew Old Parish Church, Renfrewshire carers, and the Healthy Heart project will lose out in the future.”

“I will be questioning Lloyds Bank’s senior executives. This Bank has received significant support from the public purse in the past year. It is at this time that local charities – working with some of our most disadvantaged groups – need them most.”

One local recipient has been Renfrewshire Carers Centre.
Diane Goodman, manager of the centre said “We were very pleased to receive funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland and it went towards supporting the volunteer project. This programme recruits volunteers to provide much needed respite for carers. The money we receive over three years is vital in supporting the work of our volunteers. We support the effort by Wendy Alexander and other MSPs to demand Lloyds TSB foundation for Scotland to continue providing funding for charitable and voluntary organisations.”