River Kids, West Lothian’s Children’s Charity, was formed on 3rd October 2005 with the purpose of helping local children maximise their potential.

Originally we were part of River FM and our name derives from that source. River was chosen to allude to the River Almond which flows through and winds its way around, West Lothian. The Kids element of our name was used to highlight our desire to help this specific demographic. River FM is sadly no more but the Charity itself has gone from strength to strength. All our trustees provide their skills and experience on a voluntary basis.

Over the last 5 years we have raised funds for a number of worthwhile causes. The first and largest of these to date was to help with the cost of constructing and the furnishing of a new purpose built play area at OPD3, St John’s Hospital, Livingston. This state of the art facility, which cost £168,000, was officially opened 23rd September 2009 (took four years from initial approach to final completion). Funds raised have also been used to for example, provide specialised bikes to children with disabilities, help a local youth football team meet the cost of representing Scotland at a competition abroad, meet the cost of producing the booklet for Signpost entitled “The Signpost Guide to Transition into Adulthood” and help fund Christmas Parties for children at St John’s.

The funds we raise come from a combination of direct donations, fund-raising events, bucket and can collections. This is only possible due to the generous support of West Lothian’s Business Community and of course its residents. We do not qualify for grants from the likes of The Big Lottery Fund, Children in Need, Comic Relief, Peoples Millions etc and are therefore wholly reliant on your continued support to help us meet our objectives.

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