PARENTS and children across Glasgow have been given a major boost with six city groups sharing tens of thousands of pounds in grants.

A windfall of almost £60,000 has come from the Communities and Families Fund, a joint venture involving the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government.Cash donations represent almost a third of more than £180,000 which is being paid out in grants across the country with organisers saying the money is an investment in giving Scotland's children a better start in life.

In Glasgow, Garthamlock Community Group is getting £10,000 to fund two weekly classes for parents and kids to play and prepare for primary school while another £10,000 is being given to Royston Nursery School for a play project involving youngsters and their families.

The Maryhill-based Parent Network Scotland's Family Hub is to receive a £9996 donation to launch a support group for black and ethnic minority parents and their families, while £9950 will be used by the Urban Roots Initiative Play Out to run activities for kids and families in woods in Toryglen.

The sessions will be open to children and local families and encourage them to work together to complete a series of outdoor challenges.

Urban Roots was a finalist in this year's Evening Times South East Community Champion Awards which were held at Polmadie Fire Station in June.

The YMCA has been given a £9976 boost for its Stay and Play project which works with refugee and asylum seeking families in North Glasgow so that they can learn to play together in a stress-free environment while a £9147 grant will help Balornock East Residents Association stage a healthy living class for parents and toddlers.

Outings to explore the great outdoors and encourage physical activity will be arranged with a number of the costs covered by the grant.

Maureen McGinn who chairs the Big Lottery Fund Scotland Committee said: "These grants go to a variety of projects across the country.

"The fund helps give Scotland's next generation the best possible start in life."

If you would like to learn more about the Big Lottery Fund go to http://news.biglotteryfund.org.uk