ACTS is today celebrating after being awarded £10,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work providing community transport throughout Annandale & Eskdale. 
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will go towards running costs for the year ahead.
William Fergie, Chairman, says:
“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. We will continue to provide affordable, accessible transport and build on this support to secure more funding for the continuation of services.”

In recent years, ACTS has found it increasingly difficult to raise the funding it needs to continue in business as Dumfries & Galloway Council has gradually reduced the grant provided even though they continue to receive funding from the Government to support community transport.
We have been successful in attracting funding from local windfarms in recent years to make up the shortfall to enable us to continue providing services. It is unclear at present whether they could provide any funding in future.
The Council has recently decided not to fund us for the current financial year 2019/20 and this leaves us with an estimated deficit of around £34,000. It is difficult to comprehend this decision when they have accepted that ACTS cannot ever become fully sustainable due to the permit system under which we operate our services. We are seeking alternative sources of funding but it is likely that we will have to seriously curtail our activities or close the business towards the end of the year if unsuccessful. Any ideas you have or suggested actions would be much appreciated.
You may wish to contact your local Councillor if you feel that they should continue to support ACTS as its closure will have serious consequences in Annandale & Eskdale. 
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to secure funding for provision of services. We hope you will continue to support us and use the transport through this difficult period.
Our local newspaper, the Annandale Series, has set up a GoFundMe page if you'd like to contribute. ​

This year,  ACTS has been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund.
At a time when funds for charitable organisations are becoming more difficult to access, we’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity to help the transport needs in Annandale & Eskdale.
To help us raise vital funds, we’ll be relying on Co-op shoppers. Every time they buy Co-op own-brand products they get a 5% reward for themselves, and a further 1% goes to local causes like ours.  Co-op members can decide which local group they would like to back by going online www.coop.co.uk/membership. We really hope that people will visit the website and choose to support us.
 
If you’re not a member and would like to support us, you can join at your local store or online at www.coop.co.uk.
 
Many thanks for your support.

We are delighted to have been awarded funding of £15,000 over 3 years by Minnygap Community Fund with funding from Minnygap Energy Limited.  This funding will be used towards running costs which deliver services in the areas covered by the Minnygap Community Fund.

We have now taken delivery of a 16 passenger seat minibus thanks to funding from the Morrisons Foundation and ScottishPower Renewables Ewe Hill Windfarm.  The minibus can also accommodate 2 passengers travelling in wheelchairs. The minibus is a very welcome addition to the fleet.

We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded £30,000 by the Dumfriesshire East Community Benefit Group - Ewe Hill 16 Fund. This will be used towards the purchase of a replacement accessible community minibus. Fantastic!

View our accounts here.