Buckie travel agent's go extra mile for local good causes
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TWO Buckie good causes have benefited to the tune of over £1000 thanks to the efforts of a local travel agent's.
The Buckie Teddy Bear Developmental Playgroup and the Bothy at Millbank Primary in the town both received cheques for £535 thanks to the hard work of Hay's Travel and the generosity of their customers.
Hay's Travel assistant manager Karen Pitt said: "In the 12 days leading up to Christmas we held raffles with prizes donated by local businesses.
"We were blown away by the amount of donations we got and it allowed us to do two raffles a day.
"On the final day we had a £500 voucher from Hay's Travel in the raffle as our last big prize, which was drawn by Santa.
"We had great fun doing the raffle and had a great community response. The support was massive and we never expected to make so much.
"We're delighted to be able to support the Teddy Bear Group and the Bothy and I think the response we received to this fundraiser shows how important they are to the local community."
Accepting the donation on behalf of the Teddy Bear Group – a Buckie charity working with children with developmental delay and learning difficulties – was their manager Gillian Stevenson. The group have led a nomadic existence over the past few years since having to leave their base of 30 or so years at the Lady Cathcart Centre in Buckie and, while currently based at Cullen nursery are on the lookout for a permanent home.
Ms Stevenson said: "We're delighted to get this donation from Hay's Travel and their customers.
"It will be going towards our premises fund.
"We're waiting to hear about our bid for two portable cabin units so hopefully we'll be successful."
The group currently has five children on its books.
The Bothy is a resource for kids from the whole Buckie Associated School Group who have complex needs. It currently caters for around 20 primary-aged pupils.
Welcoming the donation, Fiona Peterkin, PT ASN at the Bothy, commented: "We're very grateful for this generous donation.
"The money will go towards providing electronic communication devices for the pupils to give a voice to those who have none.
"The Bothy is a specialist area in the school dealing with a wide range of things, including sensory needs, with pupils also learning in mainstream classes where appropriate."
