Proclaimers support cash from crime for creativity

THE Proclaimers have given their backing to a scheme where cash seized from 
criminals is helping young musicians.

Eighteen studios across Scotland have received funds to allow musicians aged 12 to 25 to record their first demo tracks.

The initiative is part of the CashBack for Creativity project, which is investing £2.25 million – seized as proceeds of crime – into dance, film and music 
programmes over a three-year period.

The Proclaimers – twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid – teamed up with justice secretary Kenny MacAskill to visit an Edinburgh recording studio, where young musician Jack Hincks and his band from Biggar were recording under the scheme.

The singers said: “We are delighted to continue to support the Scottish Government’s imaginative policy on community-based funding for worthwhile projects, using the confiscated funds from criminal activity.” CashBack for Creativity aims to help more than 8,000 young would-be film-makers, dancers and musicians develop their skills during 2012, the Year of Creative Scotland.

Overall, the CashBack for Communities scheme has invested more than £46m of money seized from criminals, with more than 600,000 youngsters benefiting.

Mr MacAskill said the scheme “gives young people the chance to get creative and broaden their horizons”.