Furniture recycling project Recap has hit the ground running after receiving a £67,000 grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Scotland.

Recap used the money to extend their service into former mining communities in the Kelvin Valley, including Twechar, Moodiesburn, Chryston, Auchinloch and Croy.

Joe Thomas, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said: "We are delighted to support Recap and help them offer their service to local communities which once relied on the mining industry.

"Recap does a first class job in collecting unwanted furniture and white goods, totally refurbishing them and offering them to those in need at affordable prices.


"Now former coalfield communities that are still suffering from the loss of their local pits will benefit from a local service from Recap."

Vincent Murray, Chairperson of Recap said: "Ever since we started a pilot project in an old dole office in Cumbernauld Town Centre we have been swamped by demand for our service.

"We've been getting a lot of calls from people in former mining villages in the Kelvin Valley, so we applied for a grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to help us meet that demand."

Mr Murray said thanks to the grant from the Trust, which has enabled us to buy a new van and pays for the costs of employing a driver for the next two years, they will be able to offer these villages a fast and efficient service.

Recap, which is based at Lenziemill in Cumbernauld has a staff of 12 as well as a team of trainees and volunteers.

Vincent added: “Our service has three real benefits. We provide good quality furniture at very affordable prices to people who really need it, we help people escape from long term unemployment, and we do our bit to save the planet by diverting really bulky furniture from landfill sites."

(GK/JM)