Building offer rejected

A DUNDEE charity has been dealt a major blow after NHS Tayside rejected its cut-price offer to buy Wedderburn House.

Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI), best known for its foodbank and outreach programme Taught By Muhammad (TBM), had hoped to move into the building in May.

The expanding organisation had submitted dozens of pages of evidence detailing its work i n promoting mental health and youth educational training, as well as battling Dundee’s poverty.

However t he health board has turned down the £50,000 offer, which was made under laws designed t o empower community bodies.

In a decision report, NHS Tayside says the monetary and social value of the charity’s work is not enough to justify such a big discount on the property, which is for sale valued at £340,000.

Wedderburn House, on Edward Street, houses a community mental health team but has been for sale since early 2018.

YYI CEO Faisal Hussein said: “It feels like NHS Tayside has downplayed the work we do and the social benefit to the city.

“We are not here just for a handful of Muslims, we’re here for as many people as possible from any faith.”

In the 134-page decision, officials estimated there would be a public health benefit of just £52,068 if NHS Tayside were to sell the building to YYI.

It argued there are “no further benefits” identified that would have a “direct impact” on NHS Tayside costs, therefore the board said a higher purchase price would be necessary.

PUPILS at Colliston Primary School put on a second-hand fashion show earlier this week to celebrate the renewal of their Eco Green Flag.

Each of the students picked an outfit from a range of second-hand clothing which was donated to the school by Gate Church Carbon Saving Project.

The fashion show gave the children the chance to try on some exciting, recycled clothes and learn about how clothes are manufactured and their impact on the environment.

Head teacher Lorna Higgins said: “We are

A YOUNG mum who caught someone peering through her letterbox has said she has not been able to sleep since the incident.

Shannon Thomson, from St Mary’s, was at home with her twoyear-old son Riley on Sunday when she was disturbed by people outside her door.

Shannon realised someone was peering through the letterbox of her home on St Nicholas Place while she was in her bedroom with Riley.

The nursing student, 20, said: “It was Sunday about tea time. I was lying in bed and my son was next to me sleeping.

“I heard someone open the letterbox, but I just thought it might be the wind and just left it.

“I heard it again and then could hear voices in the close.”

Shannon then went to her bedroom door which gave her a view of the front door.

She added: “I just saw the letterbox open and eyes just peering through.

“It was quite scary and I shouted at them before they just took off.