Struggling local families treated to seaside days at Findhorn Beach Huts through No Worries in Moray link-up
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A MORAY welfare project has linked up with a local beach huts owner to offer seaside fun to families experiencing financial hardship.
No Worries In Moray, which facilitates and funds family time through day trips, is trialling its scheme this month with Findhorn Beach Huts, which has offered use of a hut at Findhorn Beach, free of charge, when bookings allow.
The scheme's first three families enjoyed days at the beach last weekend – and some even left with a touch of sunburn.
No Worries in Moray, founded by 14-year-old Speyside High School pupil Hannah Weir, from Rothes, has used funding to stock up on toys, games and accessories such as beach chairs for the families to use.
The project is an offshoot of Moray School Bank, run by Hannah's mum, Debi Weir. Hannah, who came up with the idea at age 11, won the Young Scot Community Award for her efforts last year.
No Worries in Moray has organised trips to places such as Landmark and the Highland Wildlife Park, but Debi said the pandemic had put the brakes on some of their plans since.
Debi said: "During lockdown, Hannah got some bouncy castles through Pinz in Elgin, and 10 families got bouncy castles for the day.
"She'd got £2000 funding just before lockdown towards getting a minibus. But as we couldn't use a minibus during lockdown, at Christmas she asked the funder if she could use the money to buy luxury advent calendars, containing Lego, dolls, make-up, etc. She gave out 200 of these advent calendars across Moray.
"When we did the trip to Landmark, Hannah asked the kids where they would want to go next and some said the beach. One wee boy really touched her by saying, 'I've never been to the beach'.
"Then on Mother's Day, a friend borrowed a beach hut at Findhorn and we went to see her there. Hannah said, 'it would be great if we could do this for families'."
The mum and daughter approached Ian Sutherland McCook, owner of Findhorn Beach Huts, about costs. However, he said he would happily donate the use of a hut.
Debi said: "It's an amazing donation from Findhorn Beach Huts – a really kind gesture.
"The families last weekend had an absolute blast."
Ian said it was a great opportunity to do something to help out.
He added: "It's a very worthy cause. I'm involved with a couple of non-profits so I'm sensitive to the fact that there are chunks of the population who don't have it quite as comfortable as the rest.
"It's an all-round good scheme. The families who used the hut were over the moon.
"Most of the huts are owned by families. It's nice to see Debi and her crew down there with other families who probably wouldn't get an opportunity to have a beach hut normally."
The first Findhorn Beach Huts were erected three years ago. Around 12 have been sold so far and another five were built recently – one of which has been made available to No Worries in Moray. When complete the development will number 30 huts.
Two of the huts have been pledged to the Findhorn Village Conservation Company for community use.
