PICTURES: Fochabers Recycle Summer event hailed as huge success
OVER 400 people flocked to the Fochabers Recycled Summer when the event set up shop in the Public Institute.
Running over the weekend of May 25-26, 433 people came along to the goods swap event that has lent new life to all kinds of pre-loved items.
Organised by Fochabers Village Association, they were joined this year by Fochabers Food Stop, who operate a 24/7 food larder situated outside the Scout Hall on village’s Christie Place.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Karen Delaney, from the village association, said: “People kindly dropped off pre-loved items, some brand new, to the hall from the Wednesday night and a group of stalwart volunteers checked through the contents with the Men’s Shed kindly PAT checking the electrical items.
“This year Fochabers Food Stop had a stall, and it was amazing how many individuals and families didn’t know where the provision was outside the Scout Hall.
“Throughout the day people dropped non-perishable goods off to support the Food Stop venture. Packing up on Sunday was made easier when volunteers supporting the Ukrainian appeal for warm clothes came and filled a carload. The remainder was collected by the fantastic Moray Reach Out Team to raise funds locally.
“Comments ranged from ‘Fabulous, all this for a £5 donation’ to ‘This has been amazing. My whole family have left smiling’ and ‘I want to say thank you FVA for a brilliant initiative. We need more of this kind of thing, when’s the next one?’.
“So in answer to the question, Recycle Christmas is November 16-17, so start clearing those cupboards from clothes, household goods, hobbies, books and gardening and, of course, Christmas decorations.”
Jill Armitt, from Fochabers Food Stop, hailed the event as a great success.
She continued: “It was really good and was well-attended over the course of the two days.
“It was very useful for us from an awareness point of view and it encouraged both more use of the Food Stop and donations, too.
“We’ll definitely be attending the Recycle Christmas event in November.
“In general, we’re doing really well. We recently got some funding from Fochabers Village Association, which we’re really grateful for, and we were also delighted to get a spot at Asda in Elgin to promote who we are and what we do.
“We’ve also got a similar spot planned at Tesco in Buckie. The community champions at both stores have been really proactive in supporting us.
“With the school holidays just around the corner we’re looking at creating a summer hamper to help out families out who’re struggling. The summer holidays can be a big drain on the finances of many families.
“At the moment we’re still finalising this.
“We’re also starting to look at our plans for the Christmas period.”
Mrs Armitt added that the group continued to be supported by the local Co-op and other supermarkets although the hunt was still on for a large business sponsor.
Fochabers Food Stop can be contacted at fochabersfoodstop@yahoo.com
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