Foodbank saved: £1,000-amonth donation for five years stuns Kirkcaldy charity.

Kirkcaldy: Marine company thanked for its generous gesture

Volunteers at Kirkcaldy Foodbank have been left stunned after a desperate appeal for financial support led to a local company pledging thousands of pounds.

Burntisland-based Briggs Marine has agreed to donate £1,000 a month for the next five years to ensure the group can continue to feed the most vulnerable in society.

Managing director Collieson Briggs contacted the foodbank on Friday after reading it was in danger of closing due to lack of funds.

“It is grim enough that in this day and age people find themselves in situations of severe poverty and have to rely on foodbanks,” he said.

“Kirkcaldy Foodbank does great work but is reliant on donations from local people and businesses to be able to provide food parcels to those who, for one reason or another, find themselves needing some support.

“Briggs recognises that it works within communities where the foodbank serves and it seems only right that we should help.”

Volunteer staff at the foodbank said they were left speechless by what adds up to a £60,000 donation.

Some of them were in tears when they realised they could now rely on a regular income.

Chairman Ian Campbell described the gift as truly extraordinary.

“This charitable donation will ensure that we can continue to feed the most vulnerable children and families across Kirkcaldy, while at the same time bringing an impartial voice to the debate that is ongoing regarding the best way to support those in need,” he said.

“We can only thank Collieson Briggs for displaying the kind of generosity and humanity that makes our work possible.”

The foodbank launched a fundraising campaign last week, asking local people to give up on a takeaway coffee once a week and to donate the money they saved to help feed others.

It spends £3,000 a week on food for those in dire need but only had two months of funds remaining in its bank account.

Many people have now signed up to pay a regular £10 a month standing order donation which, combined with the Briggs commitment, should feed hungry families for many years.

We can only thank Collieson Briggs for displaying the kind of generosity and humanity that makes our work possible. IAN CAMPBELL

Picture: George McLuskie. From left: Marge Henderson, Marie Penman, Maureen Closs and Mary Clark celebrate that Briggs Marine from Burntisland is giving £1,000 a month to Kirkcaldy Foodbank.