The scheme is designed to assist staff involved in sporting activities away from work and gives grants to staff who have either raised money or volunteered significant amounts of time to a community organisation or charity.

Dave Clement, an engineering team manager based at the power station in Stornoway, has been involved with the club for more than 10 years and applied for the grant to help the club out.

Dave said: "The club's junior section is often over-subscribed and the new paddles, buoyancy aids and spray decks will mean that younger paddlers can benefit from having the most appropriated equipment for their age."

Club Chairman and Local Coaching Officer, Murdo Campbell, said: "It's amazing to see what a difference it makes to the youngsters to be using gear designed for them rather than for adults and it's great to have the support of Scottish Hydro electric in making this available to all our junior paddlers."