Elgin woman raises £1350 for Bowel Cancer UK by selling home-made jam
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AN ELGIN woman has raised £1350 for charity by making and selling home-made jam.
Helen McKellar has been making jam and chutney with the help of her husband Duncan, who grows the fruit she uses, since 2016.
She donates all the proceeds to a different charity each year – and her 2020 charity of choice, Bowler Cancer UK – is particularly important to her family.
She said: "In 2019, I donated £800 to Prostate Cancer UK as my friend's husband has prostate cancer.
"In 2020, I did Bowler Cancer UK as sister in law had bowel cancer. Sadly she died in December.
"I just want to thank everybody that has donated to these charities that I've given to. Without them buying the jams, I can't donate this money."
She added: "This all started back in 2016 when I was trying to raise some money for my grandson to go to Tanzania.
"It was just a little project but folk said I should charge properly for the jam and chutney – so I did."
Mrs McKellar began taking her jam to the many local groups she attends, where it was snapped up in quick fashion by friends acquaintances.
She sells the jam from her Elgin home, putting up posts on Facebook for friends and family who are a little further afield.
Helen also had help from neighbour Irene Crichton, who delivered leaflets in the local area to make people aware of what she was doing.
The 2021 project for Helen will see her raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Again, this is a charity that is close to her heart after a former colleague's teenage son was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
To enquire about the jams or to donate, email helenmck2792@outlook.com.
