A DRUMCHAPEL community group has applied for grant funding of almost £7,000 to provide vulnerable children with school stationery and exercise equipment.

Drumchapel Cares, set up by local councillor Elspeth Kerr in partnership with the Drumchapel Community Council, COPE Scotland (Caring Over People’s Emotions) and Thriving Places, has requested £6,700 from Glasgow City Council’s area partnership.

Councillor Kerr wants to encourage children in her ward to do their schoolwork at home and get plenty of exercise during lockdown.​

She explained: “We have identified people with children who are putting on weight because they are not doing as much exercise as they normally would at school.They are not getting to run around a playground twice a day and release their energy. That’s why we have asked the area partnership for some money for supplies like skipping ropes.

“They are cheap and easy to use as a form of exercise. We are also looking at ways at making home education easier for pupils. Some of the children in our ward don’t have access to jotters or pencils at home which is making it hard for them to complete their schoolwork.

“We will then give the stationary to families who need it most and take the work back and forth to the teachers at school hub for them to mark. This will give the pupils a chance to keep up and not fall behind the other kids.”

As Drumchapel Cares is a new organisation, the application was submitted on their behalf by the community council.

If successful, the money will also go towards volunteer expenses.

Councillor Kerr added: “We don’t want our volunteers to be out of pocket during this crisis. We have got to look after the people who helping the most vulnerable members of the community.

“This money could be used to cover the cost of their petrol.

“The grant will also go towards the buddy service where volunteers can phone people who feel lonely and want a bit of a chat. Residents can also phone us if they need shopping or a prescription picked up.

“Lockdown has been a bit of a learning curve. From my point of view, I know more about who to contact to help members of the community and how to get them the right advice.”

The community group hopes a decision will be made on their application in the next couple of weeks.