Angus Soft Fruits runners step up to raise funds for foodbank

A team of runners from Angus Soft Fruits are limbering up for the start line of this weekend’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival Hairy Haggis relay race in an effort to raise funds for Angus Foodbank.

Berry grower Andrew Gray, who has farms in Angus, will be joined in Sunday’s 26-mile relay event by the company’s national account manager Rob Lutz, supply chain manager Fraser Balharry and Zoe Skivington, the Angus Soft Fruits supply chain co-ordinator.

Twice a week over the summer Angus Soft Fruits will also deliver a crate of their Scottish-grown berries to Angus Foodbank distribution centres in Arbroath, Forfar, and Montrose, including Ava strawberries and raspberries from local fields.

Mr Gray said: “Angus Foodbank provides a lifeline for so many local people in crisis, and I’m pleased that we will be continuing to support the charity over the summer with donations of fresh Ava strawberries and raspberries, because fresh berries should be enjoyed by everyone.”

The Edinburgh relay is split into four parts and the team have already broken their £300 fund-raising target.

Angus Foodbank manager Norman Brown said: “As demand for our services continues to rise, we are always so grateful for any donation, large or small. Storing fresh fruit is always difficult because it spoils so much faster than dried or tinned food.

“To receive a delivery of fresh berries twice a week over summer will be a great benefit to our service.”

From centres in Forfar, Montrose, and Arbroath, Angus Foodbank provides up to three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to individuals and families.

Fraser Balharry, Zoe Skivington and Andrew Gray.