FOUR local charities have benefitted from a four-figure cash boost from a Scottish ferry firm.

Man On! Inverclyde, 1st Gourock Scout Group, Lyle Gateway and Riverside Youth Band all received £2,000 each from the CalMac Community Fund.

The latest round of the fund, which benefits the lives of people living across the ferry network by helping non-profit groups, welcomed applications from groups addressing mental health, wellbeing and social isolation.

Local suicide prevention charity Man On! will use the cash boost to start two additional football therapy sessions per week for 24 weeks.

Chris Paul, chief executive of Man On!, said: "We are delighted to get the fund and the growth of our football therapy programme in Inverclyde is essential.

"We have supported over 80 people in Inverclyde through this project and the work that the team do is literally life-saving.

"Football is the vehicle to get the people connected with our work and the team here then go about building relationships and providing that vital support."

Gordon McKillop, CalMac’s corporate social responsibility manager, added: "The fund was created to make a difference for our communities and customers, and we are continuing to see its impact and value."