A PROJECT in East Ayrshire which aims to tackle alcohol misuse has received a significant funding boost.

Barnardo’s East Ayrshire service, CHOICES, which works with young people, adults and families to address alcohol misuse through education, insights and support, is one of five groups getting help from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.

The £10,000 award will enable project workers from the children and family team to deliver work in 10 East Ayrshire primary schools.

Linda Nisbet, children’s services manager for Barnardo’s East Ayrshire service, added: “This will include educating children on healthy lifestyles and the risks of alcohol misuse, social pressures to misuse alcohol and understanding the impact of alcohol on behaviour.

“The funding will enable us to work alongside and support more than 500 children in the local community on this important issue.”

Karen Betts, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “We are delighted to be supporting these projects, which are doing vital work with vulnerable people in communities across Scotland.

“The industry’s support for these and other projects underscores our commitment to help tackle alcohol misuse.”