CR Smith and Link partner to support vulnerable people in Fife and Clackmannanshire

(l-r) Ken Greenshields (Community Benefits Officer, Link Group), Geraldine O'Riordan (Project Manager, Community Food Team, Greener Kirkcaldy), Colin Eadie (Director, CR Smith)

We would like to thank Laura Tiliman Photography for the pictures.

Local causes making a difference to the lives of people across Fife and Clackmannanshire are set to benefit from a partnership between CR Smith and Link.

Scotland's leading window and door manufacturer is donating to the “Link in the Community Fund”, which is managed by Link, one of Scotland’s largest housing and support services providers.

One of the groups which will benefit from the vital fund is Greener Kirkcaldy which runs the Lang Toun Larder, a community food pantry that collects and redistributes food for the community.

To celebrate the partnership, Colin Eadie, Director at CR Smith, visited the pantry which supports those members of the community experiencing food insecurity.

He said: “Greener Kirkcaldy's Lang Toun Larder is a perfect example of the type of community initiative we want to reinvest in; there’s a real gap in support for people who need it, and as a business operating in the community, we always want to help wherever we can.

“Our business is obviously improving the fabric of buildings with energy efficient windows and doors to drive down the cost-of-living for families”

“Over and above that we also want to widen our support through donations to worthwhile causes for families that are really feeling the pinch. It’s fantastic that Link has launched this scheme, which has identified those groups where our support can truly make an impact.

“While initially our support will be to local groups, we operate across Scotland and will support the initiative as it expands its reach.“

CR Smith’s donation will cover the cost of supplying fruit and vegetables to the pantry’s 72 members for 12 weeks.

Also receiving funding through the initiative will be Home Start Dunfermline, which provides an early intervention service for vulnerable families with young children across Dunfermline, South and West Fife.

The funds donated will be allocated on an individual need basis to families with complex and multiple needs, who are struggling to cope with life’s challenges.

A further cash donation will fund Home Start Cowdenbeath’s summer holiday programme, which helps to make life easier for families who are making the stark choice between heating and eating with opportunities for outings where good memories can be made.

CR Smith’s support will also help Kirkcaldy Community Gardens and Allotments improve the condition of the existing hardcore road, backfilling and resurfacing numerous potholes and clearing additional parking spaces to support inclusion and easy access to all areas of Ravenscraig Walled Garden.

Grant Alexander, Link’s Head of Community Wellbeing, added: “I am absolutely delighted with the impact the Link in the Community Fund is making for families.

“Support from organisations like CR Smith helps to provide a vital lifeline to many community causes across Scotland.

“This funding is especially welcome during this cost-of-living crisis when services could not be more important.

“I hope many more community-minded charities and community organisations benefit from the Link in the Community Fund.”

To find out more about CR Smith, visit https://www.crsmith.co.uk/windows/.