West Lothian Courier

Butchers have big hearts

- Courier reporter

West Lothian butchers put their hearts on their sleeve when they tackled Ben Nevis to raise money for a good cause.

Hugh Black and Sons employees wanted to help their community by funding a defibrilla­tor as part of the national Butchers at the Heart of the Community initiative.

The staff climbed to the top of Ben Nevis earlier this month to raise the £2000 needed for the installati­on of a defibrilla­tor outside the Hugh Black and Sons shop in Armadale.

Willie Kemp, factory manager, explained:“We picked Armadale as being the first and longest serving of our butcher shops.

“The manager and staff felt that to show their appreciati­on for the community, who have supported the shop throughout the years, that they wanted to do something substantia­l in recognitio­n of this and also showing their commitment and belief in the cause. For the defibrilla­tor to be fully fitted we need to raise £2000, but the target for the company to get a community defibrilla­tor in all its shops is £20,000.

“We were involved from the very start of this campaign as soon as the presentati­on was given at our craft butcher’s regional meeting.

“We were also at the national launch held in Stirling fronted by Carol Smillie.

“As well as supporting this campaign we have had most of our staff trained in CPR.”

The Butchers at the Heart of the Community scheme is a unique partnershi­p between local businesses and Save a Life for Scotland which encourages even more members of the community to step up and do CPR should they ever need to.

The project is also inspiring many shops to fundraise for their own defibrilla­tors.

For more visit www.savealife.scot/butchers-at-the-heart-of-the-community/

 ??  ?? Charity walk Blacks’ Armadale staff during the fundraiser
Charity walk Blacks’ Armadale staff during the fundraiser

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