Everyone's a winner with Sports Relief cash windfall

The Evening Times teamed up with the charity and Foundation Scotland to distribute the money, which aims to help people living tough lives.

Judging panel chairman Ross McCulloch, of Foundation Scotland's Impact and Innovation Committee, said: "We received applications from a wide variety of excellent projects this year, from youth clubs and sports groups to initiatives concerned with health and wellbeing, reducing isolation and more."

Judith Lowes, Comic Relief Grants Adviser for Scotland, agreed.

She said: "Most of these groups are very small, but the work they do has a big impact.

"Sport Relief Community Cash has again proved to be a hugely successful way of getting money raised through Sport Relief into local communities across the UK.

"We are delighted we've been able to support so many to continue their efforts."

Some of the groups to benefit included the Govan-based Alternatives to Violence Project Scotland, which runs workshops for people who want to learn how to cope with conflict and anger and build better relationships, and Arden Chillout, which helps disadvantaged young people. Both received £1000.

Groups across Glasgow benefit from the support given by Comic Relief every year.

One of last year's successful applicants, Action on Dementia, is helping to change the lives of those affected by the illness.

Each week, the air crackles with happy memories in a small room at Fir Park Stadium, home to Motherwell Football Club.

There's Jock, from Berryhill, who loves to talk about the time he played for Wishaw Juniors.

Then there's Alex, who was a stadium tannoy announcer for more than 20 years, and playing legend Joe Wark who made 460 appearances for Motherwell.

Football is not the only thing these men have in common - they are all coping with dementia.

Action on Dementia is a Comic Relief-funded project which matches up young volunteers with older people who have the disease.

Through games, music and conversations about teams and games of days gone by, the aim is to stimulate memories and reduce isolation.

It was supposed to be a 12-week project, but it proved so successful it is still going strong after a year, and has now spread out to other Scottish football clubs.

Psychology student and football fan Matt Connelly, 23, is one of the volunteers.

He said: "I saw a mention of the project on Facebook and thought it sounded like something I could help out with.

"My grandad had Alzheimer's and I was very close to him. I know how difficult it is for everyone involved. It's a tough illness."

Matt juggles studying with volunteering and he says he loves his visits to the group.

He said: "Football is the thing that gets the conversations started but we talk about all sorts.

"We play games, sing songs and talk about current news too. It's a great way to give families a bit of a break, and the guys who come along get the chance to talk to other people with the illness.

"It stops them feeling alone or isolated. And it's great to see them talking and joking with each other.

"They are all still people, whether they have dementia or not, and they have wonderful stories to tell."

One gentleman led such an isolated life, his only contact was with the home carers who visited him.

The 71-year-old had not married and had no family, so had been on his own since his parents died.

Matt said: "When I first started coming, you could see some of them were not in a good state. But the difference has been amazing.

Group member Joe Wark was diagnosed with early onset dementia four years ago when he was 61. He spent his entire professional football career at Motherwell as left back and captain.

Matt said: "Joe is a Motherwell legend.

"It's great to see him reliving his football memories."

Sport Relief provided funding for Action on Dementia, which is supported by Alzheimer Scotland.

The full list of all the groups which benefitted this year are -