Gym owner to try again for funds
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THE founder of a small fitness centre in Inverness that aims to heal depression is to make a second attempt for Inverness Common Good funding.
Sports therapist Malcolm MacSween saw his initial bid for £25,000 rejected by councillors three weeks ago.
Members of the Inverness Common Good Fund grant sub-Committee said they were not convinced his charity called ActivNess could enhance the lives of vulnerable people in Inverness.
But Mr MacSween is to attempt to overturn their decision which was made days after supporters including Inverness MP Drew Hendry gathered to celebrate the official opening of his base in Canal Road.
Mr MacSween said: "I totally believe in this. That’s why I am pushing it forward."
The former firefighter launched ActivNess as a social enterprise two years ago, gaining charitable status in April.
The 44-year-old, who now works as a personal trainer from his home at Tomatin, said he was inspired to help others following his own battle with depression after his mother died when he was in his early teens.
Nine years as a full-time firefighter in the Highlands, often helping people who were suicidal and at their lowest ebb, was also a strong motivator.
He said his project, which is being steered by a board of directors, would help people to overcome barriers, picking them up from the depths of despair and providing them with one-to-one gym training which may take them out of isolation and back into society.
Mr MacSween said organisations such as the MS Society had expressed an interest in working with ActivNess.
