
From left to right: Alan Somerville, Senior Development Officer of CHA, Niamh Kerr and Alisha McKinnel Coaches of Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club along with some of the young members – Erin, Jacob, Olivia, Suzie, Darcey and Thomas.
On Friday 18th November 2022 Alan Somerville, Senior Development Officer of Cunninghame Housing Association, presented a cheque for £1,000 to Niamh Kerr and Alisha McKinnel, Coaches at the Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club, along with some young members.
Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club has been a registered charity and operating in Dumfries since July 2017. The Club offers gymnastics to a wide audience of babies, young children and young adults. It is run by a voluntary committee and since opening the unit in Dumfries they have created employment for young people in the area by investing in the coaching team. The Club’s Mission Statement is, “striving to provide a safe, nurturing environment for gymnasts of all ability, inspiring and enabling them to reach their full potential in their chosen sport, as well as supporting their physical, mental and social development – Wish, Dream, Believe, Achieve”.
Given the success and popularity of the Club, they have now secured premises in the Silverlaw Estate in Annan which will provide a gymnast training facility for people of Annan, Lockerbie and Gretna. This will benefit people living in rural areas giving them such a facility on their doorstep, giving them opportunity as well as saving time and money having to travel further afield. The funding provided by Cunninghame Housing Association will assist with the set-up costs of the new premises.
The funding for Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club came from the Associations “Making Our Communities a Better Place Fund” which operates throughout the year (1st April to 31st March) until the allocated funding is exhausted.
Cunninghame Housing Association are delighted to be supporting Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club setting up their new facility in Annan, providing local people with the opportunity to keep fit, improve their confidence by socialising with others as well as possible job prospects for the future”.Frank Sweeney, CHA Group CEO
Thank you to Cunninghame Housing Association for their generous donation that will help our gymnasts gain new skills and build confidence within their gymnastics and allow them to progress further”.Steven McKinnel, Head Coac
Local Groups or individuals interested in finding our more about the Associations “Making Our Communities Better Places” Fund can do so by following the link below or downloading the application form.
MOCBP FUND TEAM
The “Making Our Communities Better Places” fund team are happy to answer any questions you may have.

