A generous benefactor has handed a £5,000 boost to a campaign to put the finishing touches to a new centre for older people in Dumfries.
The anonymous donation is the biggest so far in Food Train’s drive to raise £15,000 to kit out a lounge area in its new headquarters and community hub.
Work is ongoing to transform former council offices in English Street as plans are put in place for fundraising activities to create a place which is welcoming, comforting and will help improve lives.
The £5,000 donation was received in recent days from a donor impressed with the scale of Food Train’s work to help older people live better lives by helping them to eat well and live well.
Jen Ferguson (below), Food Train’s development officer for Nithsdale, said: “It’s really touching that someone has thought so much of the work that our volunteers do that they have given so generously to our appeal. We are so grateful.
“This goes a long way towards helping us reach our total to ensure we have a lounge which will be a great place for older people to eat and meet.”
A series of fundraising events will take place in the coming months to support the #FoodTrainHero campaign ahead of the centre’s anticipated summer opening. Jen, who has worked for Food Train for almost three years, is in no doubt about the benefits that the charity’s first home of its own will bring.
She has seen the good work that it does from the inside and outside, having previously been part of the team at Tesco in Annan, one of the places where volunteers shop for older people.
“Whether by ensuring people get the groceries people need or through our befriending work, what our volunteers do makes a real difference,” Jen added.
“No two days are the same here. It’s such a nice feeling to know something you’re involved with is changing someone’s life for the better. It’s a pleasure to do something nice for people.
“Our new centre will help us do that in new ways, giving older people somewhere to meet. It will be great for our members, as well as our volunteers. I am really excited.
To make a donation to the fundraising #FoodTrainHero fundraising appeal, go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/FoodTrainHero.
If you would like to organise a fundraising event, call Melissa on 01387 270800.
