Stagecoach Highland name Merkinch's 'our Martin' as community hero

A Merkinch man who spent his own holiday money on giving children something to do during the pandemic has received a community hero award.

Winning the Stagecoach Highland community hero award, Martin MacDougall (55) a street sweeper with Highland Council, was nominated after hand delivering more than 650 activity packs to children in the city and beyond during the pandemic.

Mr MacDougall a non-driver, cycled all over the city and left a parcel on the doorstep for any children who wanted them.

At first Mr MacDougall spent his own holiday cash on the books, pens and pencils – and after seeing what a wonderful job he was doing, others stepped into help.

David Beaton, managing director for Stagecoach Highlands said: "Over the past week our followers have voted for our community hero on our Twitter page @StagecoachHLand, we are now pleased to announce Martin MacDougall as our community hero.

"We would like to congratulate our hero Martin, who will receive £75 of high street vouchers and will be put through to the final as we crown our Stagecoach National Hero."

Mr MacDougall said he was "chuffed and emotional" at even being nominated and said he was "delighted" to have won the prize.

He said: "My own two nephews were really struggling for things to do at the start of the lockdown, so I bought books for them and things started to take off from there.

"Lots of people helped me deliver the books, including three-year-old Maisie Torley from Tain.

"I am not sure what I am going to be up to next. Maybe when all this is over I will get a holiday, but the covid situation needs to be safe again.

"I want to thank everyone who nominated me first and the hundreds of people who voted for me.

"It is so amazing and overwhelming to win this."

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