The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
City campaign celebrates unsung heroes
Acts of kindness from Tayside in 2020 have been honoured in a new exhibition.
Photographer David P Scott, who learned his craft at Dundee’s Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art and Design, interviewed and took portraits of 18 local heroes and groups as part of the #Dundeekindness campaign.
His work is on display at C i ty Square and will remain there until Monday.
The stories are also told on the Dundee City Council website for those who cannot leave home.
The project is part of the Scottish Government’s national St Andrew’s Day One Million Kind Words campaign, which seeks to highlight positive acts in an otherwise turbulent year.
The 18 people profiled in D av i d ’ s work include Carnoustie woman Irene Morrison, who spent her free time making face masks for charity, and
Broughty Ferry ice-cream vendor Francesco Bastianiello, who gave away free cones to children as schools reopened.
Groups such as Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed and Kirton Larder are also championed.
Organisers are encouraging people to use #Dundeekindness on social media to highlight other positive acts.
Claire Dow, Dundee City Council principal events officer, said: “We knew we couldn’t include everyone who had done a good deed this year, so the hashtag makes sure everybody gets a chance to contribute.”
Some of the people starring in the campaign will get to take the city centre panels home with them when the exhibition ends next week.
David, 38, said: “I asked everyone three questions: who they are, what they do and what inspires them.
“It was a lot of responsibility because we were telling p e o p l e’s
stories, but it was uplifting and inspiring. My wife would always say I came back home with a smile on my face.”
Mark Flynn, convener for city development, said: “The campaign is a brilliant way for the public to recognise the people, organisations and local
businesses who have gone out of their way to help others.
“Our online exhibition features only a tiny fraction of the kind work here in Dundee, so as we celebrate St Andrew’s weekend, I hope everyone will join in celebrating our shared values of fairness
and inclusion by posting their own stories online.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Our national day is an opportunity to recognise the resilience and shared kindness we have experienced this year and which has helped us get through these difficult times.”