Led by the Provost’s Office, and supported by the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire’s office, the initiative will help a number of charities and organisations.

It was decided at a previous meeting of South Lanarkshire Council that the primary beneficiaries would be Sense Scotland and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

A £5,000 pledge to Sense Scotland has already been paid out, enabling the charity to take advantage of match funding which was available, meaning Sense Scotland received £10,000.

A one-off donation of £500 to Unison’s transportation of surplus gym equipment to Ukraine has also been paid out.

It was agreed at a meeting of South Lanarkshire Council today that the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will receive £10,000.

Hamilton Churches Drop In Centre, Bothwell Futures, The Haven Centre, Forth, East Kilbride and District Dementia Carers Group, Who Dares Cares and Rutherglen Community Carers will also each receive £1,490.

Approximately £24,400 was raised by the initiative in 2025, primarily though a Burns Supper in February and a Musical Extravaganza at the Town House in Hamilton in October.