Buckie travel agents hand local community groups cash boost
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TWO Buckie community groups have been handed a three-figure boost thanks to the staff at a local travel agent's firm.
The team at Hay's Travel on the town's East Church Street have been selling off lucky squares and it proved to be a big pay day for Buckie's Roots and Buckie High's support for learning department polytunnel initiative.
Hay's Travel assistant manager Karen Pitt said: "We wanted to keep both the good causes on a gardening and plants type theme.
"Buckie's Roots have been doing a brilliant job helping keep beautiful and blooming while support for learning's polytunnel project will help the young people involved learn a range of skills.
"Nationally, Hay's Travel are supporting local charities working in the field of young people's mental health. If any groups in the local area involved with young people's mental health would like us to fundraise for them or help out, they're welcome to get in touch with us here at Hay's Travel in Buckie.
"On behalf of the team I'd like to thank our customers and the local community. We're over the moon with support we got with the lucky squares. We though it'd take a while to sell them but they were all gone in two weeks."
Mrs Pitt added that the firm were keen to get more involved with the community and were keen to hear from groups who would like them to help out. The Hay's team can be contacted on (01542) 898286 or email buckie@hays-travel.co.uk
Buckie's Roots chairwoman Meg Jamieson said: "We are absolutely delighted to accept this donation from Hay's Travel and want to thank both the staff and those who purchased squares.
"We have added even more planters round the square this year and have added to our community planters. Our picnic bench on the Speyside Way is well used and the raised planters have also been replanted. As is the case with the raised beds all these extras will take a lot more compost, plants and tending.
"We are looking at our future plans in light of the polytunnel being vandalised as we will not be able to grow back up plants. We also need to look at transport for our equipment and bowsers so we really welcome this donation.
"Buckie's Roots is so well supported by the community and by local businesses. We feel we have now put Buckie on the tourism map through our Facebook page and have greatly extended the word that Buckie is worth visiting. Our gardening, litter picking and crafting is being shared widely and feedback is fantastic with people commenting they have visited or Buckie is on their list to visit.
"This can only benefit Buckie and hopefully bring more financial security to businesses in the town.
"As always we welcome new members and help from people. We have an excellent fun loving, hard-working and dedicated team but more support is always needed and there’re lots of people with skills that might benefit the town."
The lucky squares also handed a boost to the lucky winner, Craig Marandola, who received a Hay's Travel voucher worth £1000. As Mr Marandola was offshore at the time, it was collected by his wife Louise, who revealed that the timing of the win was perfect.
She said: "It's just magic to win it, we're really chuffed.
"We've just come back from a cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary so we'll be able to book another one now."
