A STIRLING entrepreneur has been awarded £25,000 to help grow his social business.

Callum Mackinnon is the founder of Forth Valley Rebound Therapy Service CIC (FVRTS), which is the first and only open referral service for rebound therapy in Scotland.

It works nationwide to provide a fun and engaging activity that children and adults with a diverse range of physical and cognitive disabilities can participate in, improving their physical, social and sensory outcomes.

Callum was one of seven entrepreneurs to receive a share of £170, 000 in the latest round of funding from the Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

He said: "This is a life changing opportunity for me as it will allow me to focus on working full time to develop the service.

"In addition, since receiving this funding, I have been lucky enough to employ a dedicated business development manager to assist me with growing the social enterprise - to have a wider and deeper social impact to more individuals who will benefit from the therapy."

The awards were delivered by Firstport, Scotland’s start up social enterprise development agency, to help the awardees take their businesses to the next level.

As social enterprises, all of these businesses have social or environmental goals.

They aim to become financially sustainable and generate profits to re-invest in the cause they support.

The grants were awarded as part of Firstport’s Build It programme, which distributes money from the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund.

Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport, said: “Build It awards provide a vital stepping stone for those looking to take their start up social enterprises to the next level.

"These talented entrepreneurs have shown they have the skills and enthusiasm to make a real difference with their businesses and we’re delighted to be able to support them as they grow.”

The next deadline for applications to the Build It programme is 12 April 2018.

Find more information on the website.