NEW figures have revealed a major £6m lottery boost for Inverclyde.

MP Ronnie Cowan has thanked National Lottery bosses after it was revealed that the money has been awarded to community groups in the area over the past five years.

The figure of £5,817,455 has been shared by no fewer than 127 deserving organisations across the district and was unveiled at a National Lottery Community Fund parliamentary reception.

The cash has gone to charities and other organisations which help to tackle diverse issues such as mental health, learning disability, community health, help for low-income families, housing issues, addiction issues, Women's Aid and a host of other deserving causes.

When he was elected in 2015 Mr Cowan said that not enough lottery cash was finding its way back to Inverclyde and called for a significant surge.

Mr Cowan said: "When I was first elected it was clear to me that not enough National Lottery cash was coming back to Inverclyde, and said I wanted this to be addressed.

"Since then there has been a rise in the number of charities and good cause organisations, and also a rise in applications, which is very welcome.

"I have thanked the National Lottery Community Fund for its great work in identifying these terrific groups in Inverclyde which are making a real difference.

"These 127 good causes will touch and help the lives of many of my constituents every day.

"The charities and organisations deserve huge praise because many of them have been set up to tackle specific issues in the community and it is only through the great dedication of these workers and volunteers that this can be achieved."

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Among the groups which have benefitted are counselling organisation Safe Harbour Inverclyde with £425,290.

Mind Mosaic Child & Family Therapies has received £433,965 while Inverclyde Community Development Trust picked up £157,080.

Inverclyde Shed collected £77,000 and Parklea Association Branching Out won £194,284.

Inverclyde Women's Aid has been able to use £195,613 of funding to run services, Man On Inverclyde picked up £199,480 and Branchton Community Centre Association got £135,753.

The SNP man now wants other groups in the community to apply for lotto grants.

He said: "I would urge other groups to apply for National Lottery funds because it is clear that this money coming into Inverclyde is making life better for many people.

"The sums involved mean that more than £1 million a year has come to Inverclyde, and that in itself is very welcome.

"The community here is blessed with some outstanding organisations whether it is in tackling mental health issues, battling addiction, fighting loneliness, helping low-income families, addressing the scourge of domestic abuse or providing laundry services for those in need.

"Twenty years ago some of these issues were not even in the public eye, so many of these organisations have made gigantic strides that benefit all of us.

"As well as the awards from the National Lottery, these groups need to raise funds from other sources and that is a big ongoing effort.

"They are huge asset to Inverclyde and it is great to see this level of investment in such deserving causes."