TWO community groups in East Renfrewshire are to share more than £17,000 worth of National Lottery cash.

East Renfrewshire Good Causes (ERGC) will receive £9,999 from the National Lottery Community Fund to provide local people in need with basic non-food goods such as toiletries.

Russell Macmillan launched ERGC in 2007 following a lifesaving pancreas and kidney transplant and the charity has donated more than £1.2million in goods and grants to around 3,000 worthy causes locally since then.

Also benefitting from the fund is Clarkston Community Council, which has been awarded £7,590.

It will use the funding to add a ‘teenage hangout’ sheltered area to their existing playpark.

Kate Still, of the National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland, said: “National Lottery players can be very proud that they are helping to support this vital work.”