The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Billionaire funds lunches for north schoolchildren
● Danish tycoon helps youngsters missing out on meals at school
Scotland’s richest man will provide packed lunches for Highlands children who are missing out on free meals at school.
Nursery and primary youngsters in a 500 square mile area of the far north will benefit from the project funded by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, whose Scottish home is Glenfeshie in the Cairngorms.
The grant is via WildLand Limited, the conservation group he set up.
The meals will be distributed by volunteers and a local catering firm, with help from Thurso’s Co-op shop.
From Tuesday, the packs are to be delivered twiceweekly for 10 weeks in the Tongue, Bettyhill and Melvich areas to as many as 90 youngsters who would normally get school meals.
The lunches come in an activity bag filled with puzzles, activities and crafts complete with crayons.
The first pack will also contain a toothbrush and toothpaste from the NHS.
Project organiser Joanna Mackenzie said: “All our lives have changed dramatically in the past few months.
“For some families this can present a real disruption to routines that form the foundation of everyday life.
“I run a cafe and cleaning business in northern Sutherland, both of which have suffered drastically.
“Having furloughed a huge portion of the workforce I saw an opportunity to put our resources and know-how to good use for the community.
“Our local volunteers are primed for the delivery routes covering some 512 square miles reaching all children, who we dearly hope to identify by way of community networking.”
Wildland chief executive Tim Kirkwood added: “What has struck me over the course of the coronavirus crisis is the capacity for communities to come together and help one another.
“I want to pay tribute to all those who are helping to make a difference for their neighbours in Sutherland.
“We are humbled by people like Joanna and her band of volunteers, who are giving up significant portions of their time and resources to make a difference locally.
“We very much hope that as many as possible take up this well-meant and willingly given support for children during this challenging time.”
Mr Povlsen and his wife last year thanked the Highland public for “touching our hearts” after three of their children died in the Easter Sunday terror bombing in Ski Lanka.
The Danish fashion magnate said: “The Scottish Highlands has granted us abiding, special memories for our family.”
Meanwhile, a Western Isles charity has expanded to help remote communities during the pandemic.
The Point and Sandwick Trust runs Beinn Ghrideag, the UK’s biggest community wind farm, on Lewis, with income going to the area’s good causes.
Three of its staff have been appointed to the trust to make deliveries and make telephone checks on people during the pandemic.
Peter McNeill and Matthew Smith were appointed delivery drivers, while Sandra Macleod will co-ordinate the service, which has grants from the Corra Foundation and the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund.