Today, Tuesday, 15 March, the ScottishPower Foundation unveiled its funding programme for 2016. Trustee, Ann Loughrey met with representatives from the Citizen’s Theatre, which is benefiting from a share of the Foundation’s £1,154,542 funding pot.

The ScottishPower Foundation was established to make a significant and lasting contribution to society and enhance the quality of life in local communities. It provides funding to registered charities and non-profit organisations for a number of purposes, including:

• the advancement of education
• the advancement of environmental protection
• the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
• the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage
• the advancement of citizenship and community development.

This year, the Foundation will support 23 projects across Great Britain. Beneficiaries cover a broad range of geographies and areas of focus, including National Museums Scotland, the NSPCC, National Library Wales and the Citizen’s Theatre.

The Glasgow based theatre is putting the money towards a new production; the first ever theatre adaptation of Gorbals urban legend, The Man with the Iron Teeth. The play tells the story of a 7ft tall vampire with terrifying iron teeth, who was rumoured to have kidnapped and eaten local children in the 1950s. The funding will help the theatre engage over 260 local people in a series of community workshops, culminating in a promenade production of the play in September.

Ann Loughrey, Trustee and Executive Officer, ScottishPower Foundation, said: "We are delighted to announce the twenty three projects allocated funding for 2016, and meet with the dedicated team at the Citizen’s Theatre. The Foundation is committed to supporting good causes across the UK which benefit the quality of life in local communities. This year we’re supporting a broad range of projects, from libraries and museums to elderly charities and the arts. I look forward to getting out and seeing all the great work made possible by the Foundation and sharing more details of local projects throughout the year.”

For further information please contact Emma Paul, Jen Ward or Laura Blyth at Stripe Communications on 0131 561 8628. You can also email the team at spfoundation@stripecommunications.com

Notes to editors:

About the ScottishPower Foundation

The ScottishPower Foundation is a registered Scottish charity (SC043862) and a company limited by guarantee (SC445116). The Foundation’s aim is to make a significant and lasting contribution to society and enhance the quality of life in local communities. It provides funding to registered charities and non-profit organisations for the following purposes: the advancement of education; the advancement of environmental protection; the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; the advancement of citizenship and community development.

The full list of projects receiving funding in 2016 are:

Arts and Culture

• National Museums Scotland
• ScottishPower Pipe Band
• The Aloud Charity
• Citizens Theatre Ltd
• Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Education

• Clwyd Theatr Cymru
• National Library Wales
• Manchester College
• Children’s University Trust Scotland

Relief of poverty

• Maggie’s
• Perth Autism Support (PAS)
• O Ddrws I Ddrws
• NSPCC
• Music in Hospitals
• Scottish Huntington’s Association
• Theatre Nemo
• The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice

Citizenship

• Trinity Mirror Merseyside
• RNIB
• Alzheimer Scotland

Environment

• RSPB Scotland
• Young Scot Climate 2050

Additional projects

• ScottishPower Foundation Scholarships
• ScottishPower Foundation Awards