A SHARE of a cash boost of more than £1,000, raised through community-driven incentive The Big Pick, has been distributed to recipients in Musselburgh.

The Bridges Project, which supports young people who face barriers to education, employment or personal development, has benefited from the funding.

Musselburgh Burgh Primary School’s Nurture Breakfast Club was also supported.

And Bonnyrigg-based Lothian Cat Rescue, which rehomes cats and kittens, received a donation.

The Big Pick, an ongoing project that offers people the chance to purchase high-quality, used clothing at £3 per kilogram, raised the cash through a series of events held across East Lothian.

The Big Pick events are hosted by East Lothian’s Community Payback Work Team, supported by Reuse Scotland SCIO.

Community payback orders are imposed by courts to support a person to address their offending behaviour.

As part of The Big Pick initiative, individuals who are required to complete unpaid work activities have been sorting clothes donated to clothes banks. They are then taken to pop-up venues throughout East Lothian, giving members of the public the opportunity to buy clothes at discounted rates.

Simen Jordsmyr Holm, fundraising and communications manager at the Bridges Project, said: “This support is much appreciated and will make a real difference to the young people we support.”

Jon Doyle, headteacher at Musselburgh Burgh Primary School, said: “This is lovely news and very much appreciated!

“Your donation will be extremely valuable to the running of our Nurture Breakfast Club and will be very gratefully received.”

Fiona Wilson, chief officer and joint director of East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, added: “The Big Pick events are proving to be incredibly valuable, supporting individuals and communities, as well as reducing poverty and textile waste.”

To find out more, go to eastlothian.gov.uk/elhscp