A Kippford man has donated a special cask strength whisky to help boost a fundraiser in aid of Ukrainian refugees.
Donald Reid presented the bottle to Balmaghie Sacred Landscape Trust during its two-day pop-up cafe at the weekend.
Mr Reid had a special reason for gifting the Bunnahabhain Stoisha seven-year from his private collection.
He and wife Fiona were married at Balmaghie Kirk where the cafe was held – and his mother Anna is buried in the kirkyard.
Donald, 61, told the News: “I have the Ukrainian flag flying from my flagpole at home.
“I saw on social media that the trust was having a pop-up cafe – so I just went up there.
“The ladies were doing soup, sandwiches, tea and cake and I just plonked the whisky down in front of them.
“It’s from my own cask of Bunnahabhain’s peated version.
“It is cask strength – 60.7 per cent – and its value to a collector would be £200 to £300.
“I believe the raffle has made over £400 so far.
He added: “Balmaghie has a very special place in my heart.
“I was married there, my mother is buried there and I was a member of the congregation when I lived at Laurieston.”
Donald is now in good health after surviving a diagnosis of terminal intestinal cancer in 2020.
His remarkable recovery was down to ground-breaking treatment and, he says, a will to live through faith.
“I appear to be clear,” he said.
“I only have to go for a scan every six months. I put it down to pills and prayer.”
Donald has also offered a run round Galloway in his Morgan sports car as a raffle prize.
Balmaghie resident Lorna Macleod organised the cafe along with fellow trustee Lady Susie Ross and local volunteers.
She said:“We have so many wonderful people within the community who back us up and help out.
“It would not be possible without them.
“The pop-up cafe made £1,331 which the trust matched.
“Along with gift aid that takes the total to £3,328.
“The money will go to the Disasters and Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
“You can’t ignore what’s happening out there.
“I can’t begin to understand what these poor people are going through.
“It’s horrendous and we hope this will help, even in a little way.”
She added: “It is very generous of Donald to offer these two prizes.
“We are very grateful and will make the draw on Easter Sunday when the kirk will be open from 9am to 7pm for private prayer.”
Balmaghie Sacred Landscape Trust trust was set up with the goal of preserving Balmaghie Kirk and hall for community use.
