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Elgin City initiative sees 130 Christmas meals delivered to sheltered housing


By Jonathan Clark

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Elgin City trio of Tom McHale, Keiran Carty and Craigh Stewart...Elgin City FC, along with Tesco Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City trio of Tom McHale, Keiran Carty and Craigh Stewart...Elgin City FC, along with Tesco Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

ELGIN City Football Club has helped make Christmas that extra bit special for more than 100 people living in sheltered accommodation in Moray.

The club yesterday delivered 130 Christmas meals to four sheltered accommodation areas in Elgin and Lossiemouth, where first team goalkeeper Tom McHale took the time to speak to residents.

Elgin City joined together with Tesco, Lossie-based restaurant Guidi's and Hanover Housing on the initiative, which they hope to make an annual event going forward.

Tesco donated all the food free of charge and David Guidi cooked it all before City delivered it to the Hanover Housing-run sheltered accommodation areas.

Residents at Loxa Court, West Park Court and Netherport in Elgin and Hersbruck Court in Lossiemouth received a three course meal each.

Elgin City's Craigh Stewart delivers to staff and residents at Netherport in Elgin...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City's Craigh Stewart delivers to staff and residents at Netherport in Elgin...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City goalkeeper Tom McHale delivers to Loxa Court in Elgin as is joined by Janna Douglas, Anne Anderson, Jean Ogilvie and Rosie Menzie...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City goalkeeper Tom McHale delivers to Loxa Court in Elgin as is joined by Janna Douglas, Anne Anderson, Jean Ogilvie and Rosie Menzie...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City's Keiran Carty with Hersbruck Court residents Helene Crockett and Billy Rhind and staff member Paula Dey...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City's Keiran Carty with Hersbruck Court residents Helene Crockett and Billy Rhind and staff member Paula Dey...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Left to Right: David Guidi, Craigh Stewart, Tom McHale, Tracy Gourlay, Stephen McEwan and Keiran Carty...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Left to Right: David Guidi, Craigh Stewart, Tom McHale, Tracy Gourlay, Stephen McEwan and Keiran Carty...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Dougie McPhee, operations manager for Hanover Housing, said the meals were much appreciated.

"Some of the residents were gobsmacked," he said.

"We have a lot of vulnerable people across our developments and they get fantastic support from family and carers – but somebody coming and doing something different is always treated with a smile, because it's unexpected.

"Football clubs are in dire straits at the moment but Elgin City have gone out of their way to support the vulnerable in the community. They have to be applauded for looking further afield than themselves.

"We will forever be thankful to have that link in Moray."

Elgin City company secretary Keiran Carty, who delivered the meals with community manager Craigh Stewart and 'keeper Tom McHale, said: "Our local community has supported the club incredibly since the pandemic began in March so we have come up with a few festive projects to help return that amazing support.

Jean Kay at West Park Court in Elgin with Elgin City's Keiran Carty...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jean Kay at West Park Court in Elgin with Elgin City's Keiran Carty...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

"I have to say a massive thank you to Stephen MacEwan at Tesco and Salt Cellar restaurant owner David Guidi because without their help we wouldn’t have been able to do this.

"It was great to meet the staff and residents at the complexes and spread some festive cheer after what has been a very difficult year for them. We hope to make this an annual initiative."

This is the first of three festive projects Elgin City have planned. On Monday, the club will delivering hampers to care homes in Elgin before heading to Dr Gray's to deliver food packages to NHS staff.

Tesco community champion Tracy Gourlay and Rosie Menzies at Hanover Housing were thanked for their help with the project.

Elgin City goalkeeper Tom McHale delivers to Loxa Court in Elgin...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Elgin City goalkeeper Tom McHale delivers to Loxa Court in Elgin...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jean Kay at West Park Court in Elgin...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Jean Kay at West Park Court in Elgin...Elgin City FC, along with TESCO Elgin and Guidi's in Lossiemouth, hand out 130 three course meals to sheltered housing in the community...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

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