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Heroes of Inverness city centre are announced


By Features Reporter

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IN these most challenging of times, there are always people who go out of their way to help others, often folk they don’t even know and will never meet.

They are real heroes and their superpower is kindness. The Inverness City Centre Heroes Awards aims to recognise them and shine a light on how they have helped others during these unprecedented times.

Organised by Highland Council, Inverness Common Good Fund, Inverness BID and Highland News & Media, we asked you to nominate individuals, businesses or organisations that went above and beyond to help out others this year.

It was a difficult task but our judging panel chose the winners from your nominations. The winners are: Inverness Foodstuff; Martin MacDougall, a member of Highland Council’s city centre street cleaning team and Morrisons Inverness Community Champions.

Inverness Foodstuff provided thousands of meals to people who are homeless, vulnerable or financially disadvantaged, often those in special need due to the pandemic.

Mr MacDougall gifted books to over 650 children from his holiday fund during lockdown.

Morrison’s Inverness Community Champions delivered food supplies to many community organisations and food banks. In addition to the company's own food donations, the team put together food supplies in pick-up packs, which were purchased and then donated by customers and delivered by the Community Champions to local food banks.

Each winner received an award certificate and a £100 voucher to spend in the city centre.

Depute Provost councillor Graham Ross said: “The awards have highlighted the extraordinary commitment, compassion and real sense of caring for our community shown by so many volunteers across the city. As an Invernessian, I am so incredibly proud of the manner in which our city has responded to the crisis and cannot thank everyone enough for all their incredible commitment."

Mike Smith, Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) manager said: “The Covid-19 lockdown and the period that followed were extremely challenging for individuals and businesses alike.

"However, during this time many people and organisations came forward and made major contributions to the benefit of the wider city centre community. The awards reflect the outstanding contribution the winners have made during this period.”

HNM publisher, Steve Barron added: "We're delighted to shine the spotlight of publicity on these well deserving individuals and organisations. The positive impact they have had on the city centre and beyond during this year is something they should all be very proud of. They are an inspiration to all."

Inverness Foodstuff

Inverness Foodstuff chairwoman Rev Fiona Smith with Al Edwards, catering and training supervisor, June Macleod, the operations manager and trustee Hilary Parkey. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Inverness Foodstuff chairwoman Rev Fiona Smith with Al Edwards, catering and training supervisor, June Macleod, the operations manager and trustee Hilary Parkey. Picture: James Mackenzie.

During lockdown, Inverness Foodstuff provided thousands of meals to people who are homeless, vulnerable or financially disadvantaged.

In fact, the charity, based at Ness Bank Church, has been providing meals and support to folk since February 2015.

Inverness Foodstuff was formed as a response to the growing awareness that the needs of the homeless and other vulnerable groups in the Inverness area were not being met and that many were isolated and lacked appropriate support.

Local folk and the church came together to form Inverness Foodstuff and the charity has been providing meals and support through its café hub at Ness Bank Church ever since.

During lockdown, the need of many local people and families became acute and Inverness Foodstuff volunteers stepped in to provide a takeaway meal service three days a week while the café was closed.

More than a meal however, Inverness Foodstuff also set up a telephone helpline (07552303056) and works with other organisations including Highland Council and the NHS to offer wraparound support to people.

Reverend Fiona Smith, minister of Ness Bank Church and chairwoman of Inverness Foodstuff said: “On behalf of all of us at Inverness Foodstuff we’re overwhelmed and delighted to win this award and to be recognised by the people of Inverness for the work we’re doing. Our volunteers are just phenomenal and they deserve this recognition.”

Support, including an outdoor barbers and takeaway meals are available from Inverness Foodstuff on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Martin MacDougall

Martin MacDougall used his holiday money to buy books for youngsters during lockdown. Picture: Gary Anthony.
Martin MacDougall used his holiday money to buy books for youngsters during lockdown. Picture: Gary Anthony.

Martin MacDougall, a member of Highland Council’s street cleaning team, generously spent his holiday money to buy colouring books for hundreds of children during lockdown.

He initially bought books for his two nephews who were looking for things to do during the lockdown earlier this year and the initiative took off from there.

With help from friends and youngsters, Mr MacDougall delivered and posted books to around 650 children across the Highlands, including to the children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital, and as far afield as Gretna.

Already an award winner this year thanks to his generosity, Mr MacDougall can now add Inverness City Centre Hero to his accolades. Mr MacDougall was delighted to receive his Inverness City Centre Heroes award: “I knew kids were at home without their mates and not at school and I felt bad there wasn’t much for the kids to do during lockdown.

“I feel overwhelmed by the award and very happy. Knowing it’s the public that nominated me I feel pretty proud of myself.”

Morrisons Inverness Community Champions

Morrisons Community Champion team members Kylie Ormand (left) and Catherin MacDonald. Picture: Gary Anthony.
Morrisons Community Champion team members Kylie Ormand (left) and Catherin MacDonald. Picture: Gary Anthony.

When the country first went into lockdown Morrisons committed £10 million nationally to support local food banks.

Morrison’s Inverness Community Champions delivered food supplies to many community organisations and food banks. In addition the team put together food supplies in pick-up packs, which were purchased and then donated by customers and delivered by the Community Champions to local food banks.

Morrisons Inverness customer services manager Keryn Paterson said: “We asked our customers for support and we’ve been blown away with the generosity they’ve shown week in and week out topping up the company donations. It has really made a difference and we have to give a huge thanks to our amazing customers for their continued support.

"Without them buying the pick-up packs we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. As a store we’d like to thank all the public that have nominated the community champions. We’re delighted to have got the recognition.

"It’s hard work but it pays off when you see the appreciation from the people that you’re giving the packs to.” The initiative will continue while there's a need.


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