AN ALLOA organisation which supports people living with chronic lung conditions has received funding through a Scotland-wide community bursary scheme.

Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire has been awarded £300 by property management company Ross and Liddell.

The group offers support, advice and friendship to people of all ages who are living with all forms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The bursary funding will be used to buy materials for speaker sessions and activities held every month at St Mungo’s RC Church Hall.

Linda McLeod, group founder, said: “Living with any form of debilitating pulmonary illness can really affect your quality of life – physically, psychologically and socially – and it can be very hard to deal with.

“As the lungs aren’t on show, it can be difficult for people to understand how much of an impact a deficiency in the lungs can have on the body as a whole.

“We’re there to support people and to offer advice and friendship. We encourage people to get involved in the activities but it’s not prescriptive – it’s simply about being with people who are dealing with the same issues and having a chat.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Ross and Liddell for its support. It’s very much appreciated and the money will be put to good use.”

Established in 2010, Breathe East Clackmannanshire now has more than 20 members.

Every month, speakers including pharmacists and respiratory health nurses, provide information and advice, and group members also take part in activities like Tai Chi and singing.

Ross and Liddell specialises in property management and maintenance, as well as providing a comprehensive range of residential and commercial services including sales, lettings, surveying and insurance.

Now in its seventh year, the community bursary scheme was launched to provide support to organisations all over Scotland that make a difference in their community.

Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire is just one of 37 groups to receive funding in this bursary year.

Irene Devenny, managing director of Ross and Liddell, said: “In this year’s bursary scheme, we’re very proud to be providing funding to almost 40 groups in communities all over Scotland.

“We are thrilled to offer our support to Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire. It’s clear that the group is having a big impact on the community and is helping people live full lives despite their experience of debilitating illness.”