Shedload of steps
A Stonehouse businessman is fundraising for a town charity in a unique way during lockdown.
David Baxter – of plumbing and heating firm David Baxter & Sons Ltd – is marking his 50th birthday by carrying out a sponsored walk in his garden for the Stonehouse Men’s Shed.
In fact, David plans on walking the distance of the entire West Highland Way in his back yard.
David explained: “My wife, Lynn, and I have done several charity walks over the years and this year I decided to come up with a different way to still do this from home.
“We have previously walked the West Highland Way – a 96-mile footpath running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands – and we measured up the perimeter of our garden to see what it would take to walk the same distance.
“I will be walking on average 265 laps of my garden per day for five days – with my black Labrador, Shadow by my side – to raise vital funds for a local charity that I am passionate about.”
David’s wife Lynn added: “We wanted to do something big to mark David’s 50th year and raise money for a charity that is really making a difference in our local community. As a business and a family, we were already aware of what the shed is doing for our community and strongly support the concept of Men’s Sheds.
“Our plumbing and heating business was invited to tender for the works to Stonehouse Men’s Shed and we agreed that we wanted to offer our labour for free and only charge for the materials required to further support the charity.”
Stonehouse Men’s Shed plans to carry out a £30,000 conversion on its new Shed – an unused former public convenience block in King Street in the village – to create a workshop, kitchen, meeting space and disabled access toilet.
Back in March Stonehouse Men’s
Shed signed the concessionary lease of £1 per year for a new home for its 30 members and before lockdown had demolished the interior of the shed.
Brian Adams of Stonehouse Men’s Shed said: “We are thrilled with the support received from this local business, David Baxter & Sons Ltd, to not only help with the conversion of our shed but also to fundraise for us during this time.
“Although we are all currently on pause right now, we are looking forward to planning for the future of the Shed, especially now that we have also just received the news that we have secured £17,000 towards the work. The funding – from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Kype Muir Wind Farm Community Trust – will go towards the project and the purchase of a portable cabin to expand the space available to our members.”
The Men’s Shed concept was first launched in Australia in the 1990s after it was recognised that there was little opportunity for men, especially older males, to forge new friendships.
The shed was recognised as a domain where the typical Aussie man would carry out tasks and hobbies, like restoring furniture, painting or fixing garden machinery. From there, groups were established and the shed would be the hub where men would socialise and exchange knowledge and skills.
Jason Schroeder, executive officer at the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association, said: “We are delighted to see communities really rally together to continue to support Men’s Sheds during the outbreak. When lockdown is over, there will be more men than ever in need of Men’s Sheds for friendship and to feel connected in their communities again.”
Every penny raised through David Baxter’s walk will go towards the conversion to form Stonehouse Men’s Shed’s new premises. To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Davidbaxter21.