THE clock is ticking for applications to a £100,000 pot of community cash.

There is still time to apply for funding from the ScotRail Foundation - but make sure you get your application in ­before the closing date of September 1.

Around £100,000 is available to community groups around Scotland in the second year of the successful programme.

The Foundation distributes grants to organisations which support children or young people, and/or improve the environment or general health of communities.

Many groups benefited in the recent round of grants ­delivered by the fund, including a fantastic kids' playground in East Kilbride.

And ScotRail staff, who helped deliver the significant cash boost, took some time out to visit the children who will benefit.

The Special Needs Adventure Playground ­received £3795 from the ScotRail Foundation to support the development of its play area for local young people with learning difficulties.

Regional staff panels work with Foundation Scotland - an independent charity which manages the fund on behalf of ScotRail - to review applications and identify the groups most deserving of funding.

Five ScotRail employees, who are members of the staff panel, recently visited SNAP to find out how the Foundation's support will make a difference.

The grant is being used to buy new specialist playground equipment for the kids.

Foundation panel members Ann MacLeod, a team leader at ScotRail's Shields depot and Alec Smith, a service quality auditor, said the visit was a fantastic way to see the ­support in action.

Alec said: "We have to make some difficult decisions when it comes to selecting the groups to receive funding ­because so many of them are worthy candidates.

"It's been good to visit SNAP and find out how our ­decision and support is helping the charity to continue its ­fantastic work."

Ann added: "I'd encourage any groups considering applying to the Foundation to go for it."

Sheila Halford, a board member of SNAP, added: "The ScotRail Foundation support is helping us to develop our playground further and continue providing an important service for local people.

"It was great to introduce the ScotRail staff who made the decision to those involved with SNAP - it also allowed us to thank them personally."

SNAP was established in 1990 and has since delivered support to more than 4000 young people.

In its first year, the ScotRail Foundation donated £100,000 to 51 community groups and 18 charities across Scotland, ­including SNAP.

Groups interested in submitting an application should contact Foundation Scotland on 0141 341 4960, or visit www.foundationscotland.org.uk/scotrail for more information. Successful applicants will be announced in November.

ann.fotheringham@eveningtimes.co.uk