The Gala Fairydean Rovers Para Squad will have two teams compete at the Scottish Football Association competitions through the Scottish Building Society's donation of £1,200.

The funding, courtesy of the society's charitable foundation, will facilitate the squad's participation in the national competitions throughout 2024.

Keir McIver, coach at the Gala Fairydean Rovers Para Squad, said: "This support from the Foundation is an amazing boost for our squad, which has grown in numbers over the past twelve months.

"Thanks to the kindness of the Scottish Building Society Foundation, its customers and staff we will now be able to enter two teams into national competitions increasing opportunities for all our players and ensuring they all get proper game time.

"Para-football is about inclusion but it's also about performance and our squad want the opportunity to show what they can do and develop their skills.

"This funding helps them compete on a national stage and I'm confident they will make the most of the opportunity."

Established in partnership with Foundation Scotland, the Scottish Building Society Foundation aims to give back to Scottish communities.

In line with its 175th-anniversary celebrations last year, the foundation set aside £175,000 for charities and causes across Scotland.

From this amount, organisations can receive individual grants of up to £5,000 to support their causes.

This approach has allowed 17 community projects and organisations to receive funding since its launch in 2023.

Jill Crook, from the Scottish Building Society, said: "Local connections are at the heart of everything we do and I am delighted that the Society has been able to invest in Para-Football in the town.

“It’s been lovely meeting the players and seeing how proud they are to be representing Gala and its brilliant to know we have been able to create greater opportunities for them to compete nationally over the next 12 months.”

Paul Denton, chief executive officer at Scottish Building Society, said: “Gala Fairydean Rovers Para Squad is a fantastic cause and it’s great to see it being supported by the Scottish Building Society Foundation with funding.

“We’re encouraged at the volume of interest from a variety of inspiring community groups and charities across Scotland and look forward to seeing how they use the funding to make positive impact.

“The Scottish Building Society Foundation whilst in its infancy, we hope will make a big difference to many people across the country and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Foundation Scotland to grow the incentive in the years ahead."

For more information on the Scottish Building Society Foundation or to make an application, go to tinyurl.com/mfh8rez5.