‘Extraordinary act of kindness’ – free MacMoray tickets given to low-income families
“An extraordinary act of kindness” has seen 2400 music festival tickets handed out to struggling families
The free MacMoray tickets have been given to children and parents who, otherwise, wouldn’t be able to afford the two-day festival taking place in Elgin’s Cooper Park this weekend.
Debi Weir is from the Moray School Bank which has distributed them to families all around Moray.
She said: “It’s the most generous gesture I’ve ever come across in all my time working in charity. There are lots of very excited children about Moray right now, plus a lot of excited adults too.”
MacMoray will see Status Quo, Bonnie Taylor and The Jacksons all performing in the park today and tomorrow, alongside many other well-known acts such as Cascada and Dj Sammy.
Debi said her charity had been in talks since about Christmas with Andy MacDonald, the organiser of the festival who lives locally.
However, she was shocked when, at the start of last month, with weeks still to go, he told her of his intention to give away so many for free.
Debi said: “Andy had stated that he wanted to do something to help the Moray School Bank, but this is well beyond what we were expecting.
“I mean, what do you say when someone effectively gives you a gift that’s worth more than £100,000?
“Andy is a big character with a very big heart. I’m still smiling now just thinking about what he’s done.”
The first MacMoray festival was held in Elgin’s Cooper Park in April 2022. This weekend will be the fourth time the venue has staged an event which has since earned overwhelmingly positive reviews.
However things may draw to a close after a fifth festival next Easter. By that stage, Andy will have become a father and, therefore, he’s deciding to focus instead on his family for a while.
Talking about his decision to give away the tickets for free, Andy said: “MacMoray is for the people. I don’t like the thought of people that want to come missing out because they simply can’t afford it.
“Debi is fantastic. She deals with low-income families. She is a remarkable and hard-working lady with her heart in the right place and I trust her.
“We met and figured out how we can support families that are struggling every day. I am limited to 10,000 tickets and it's a shame it isn't endless because we can do so much more.
“I would feel better helping more, but it is what it is. If it was up to me, every neighbour would get tickets. But I can't. One, I would break capacity and, two, I can't afford to do that – it's impossible.
“I am thankful to people for buying tickets, because that is what allows us to help these families. It's not just me. I can't get all the credit. It's every person - it's thanks to them that I have been able to do what I have with Debi.”
The Moray School Bank was set up in 2017 to provide school uniforms and warm winter clothing to children living in poverty across the region.
The charity’s aim is to ensure every youngster has an equal opportunity to reach their academic potential.
