Lockdown heroes have served up 38,300 meals

Aberfeldy restaurant now in the frame for a top award

An Aberfeldy charity which provided food to people over the age of 70 served more than 38,800 meals during the lockdown period.

Feldy Roo partnered with local restaurants and cafes to deliver food after the UK went into lockdown in March 19.

The initiative was set up by Elgin City boss Gavin Price, who is also the owner of Aberfeldy restaurant the Fountain Bar, which was integral to the running of the meal delivery organisation.

The Fountain has now been nominated for a Pub Heroes award, which recognises bars across the country that work with their communities.

Mr Price said: “From a potentially serious situation, Aberfeldy and its fantastic community spirit turned a negative into a positive.

“I think (our being shortlisted for the Pub Hero award) is really a nomination for the town as a whole as well as for Feldy Roo.

“If we did win, we would definitely use the money for the benefit of the community.

“That is kind of the ethos of Feldy Roo, it is something for the whole town.”

The food delivery service also raised around £130,000 through fundraisers and grant applications to fund the meals.

Around 140 volunteers gave up their time to assist with deliveries, fundraising, grant applications and cooking, and there were 15 different delivery routes by the end of the lockdown period – which covered a 25 to 30-mile radius of Aberfeldy, Mr Price added: “For the residents, it was a godsend. For some, they hadn’t seen people in weeks on end.

“We sent out questionnaires to get feedback and overwhelmingly it was the social contact with the volunteers that was the most valued thing.”

Voting for the award closes on August 26.

Picture: Steve Macdougall. Volunteers Rob Macpherson and daughter Breagh, of the Watermill Gallery, Mill Street, Aberfeldy.