Cairngorm Windows' festive cash boost for Caithness youth clubs
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Two youth clubs in Caithness have distributed festive fare after being included in a Christmas initiative by the north’s largest windows manufacturer.
Cairngorm Windows, which has a shop in Thurso, donated £6000 to good causes through the Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) as part of the company's Project Christmas.
Wick Youth Club and Castletown Youth Club each received £500 after successful applications.
Julie Mackinnon, manager of Wick Youth Club, said: "We’re delighted to be selected. We used the cash to introduce a Secret Santa scheme for some 30 local families, giving them a little extra for Christmas.
“It will be mainly toys and sweets for the children of families we support. It’s great that Cairngorm is doing something like this.”
The club is open seven days a week and is a venue for sports groups, an after-school club, a holiday club and other activities.
Penny Gunn, treasurer of Castletown Youth Club, said: "We’re using this unexpected income to run a Christmas party with free food and a gift for every child.
“We’re normally closed between Christmas and New Year but the balance of the Cairngorm funding will allow us to open for a couple of sessions which will include food and activities.”
Penny, whose husband Colin is club chairman, added: "It’s excellent that a business with an outlet in Caithness is able to help local clubs in this way and we’re grateful to Cairngorm.”
HTSI development manager Iain McKenzie said: "This new fund will ensure Christmas joy for some families facing their most difficult festive season in years, with rising heat and lighting costs.
“Poverty is still a major issue in our area and Cairngorm’s impressive intervention allowed us to give community groups the chance to apply. Well done to these two youth clubs for successful bids and all that they do.”
Chris Dowling, joint managing director of Inverness-based Cairngorm, said: "We’re putting something back into the communities where we generate business. We hope our funding will help to give some children a happier Christmas and possibly address family loneliness and mental health issues over the festive period.”
