Worthy causes across East Renfrewshire have hit the jackpot as they share a £250,000 windfall from the National Lottery.

The biggest local winner is Include Me 2 Club (IM2C), which has been awarded almost £140,000 and will use the cash to hire a new adult services co-ordinator and administrator to help expand its volunteer-based activities for people with additional support needs (ASNs).

The project is expected to involve 385 participants and 62 volunteers over a three-year period.

Elsewhere, Newton Mearns-based Avalon (Autism Parental Support and Respite Services) has received nearly £85,000 to run a monthly get-together for families and a twice-yearly multi-day intensive wellbeing programme.

The latter will culminate in a cold water therapy family event.

Back in Barrhead, the Dunterlie Allotments and Horticultural Society has been handed £10,000 to expand and upgrade its community allotment.

Meanwhile, Cosgrove Care has received around the same amount to create a sensory garden for people with ASN.

Also benefitting from a cash boost is the National Autistic Society, which has been given just over £9,500 to run digital workshops for autistic children in East Renfrewshire aged between 12 and 18.

All About Barrhead Ltd, meanwhile, has been handed £5,000 to organise a community parade, with I Love Clarkston Ltd receiving the same amount to organise a festive community event on Saturday, November 19.

The former will involve the participation of local people, groups, street entertainers and businesses, while the latter will include a Christmas market, funfair rides, music, indoor craft stalls and a Santa parade.

The local groups and projects are amongst 299 across Scotland who are sharing in more than £11million worth of new grants handed out by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Kate Still, Scotland chair of the fund, said: “This latest round of funding is one of the ways we are directing our National Lottery funding to support people and communities facing difficult circumstances.

“Our message to community groups across Scotland is that we are here for you and our role, as a funder, is to continue to listen and to be flexible and responsive to the challenges and pressures you are facing.”