Caithness artist donates sales to foodbank
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A LOCAL artist has been praised for her generosity and thoughtfulness after deciding to use her creative talents to raise vital funds for Caithness Foodbank.
Thurso-based Lisa Poulsen, who specialises in calming landscape art, saw all 12 of her stockists temporarily close their doors due to coronavirus concerns. But she quickly adapted her business model in an attempt to keep up with customer needs.
Lisa’s StoneScape collection of artwork is sold through an online shop – www.inspiredbycaithness.com. After noticing a rise in demand for greeting cards since the start of the coronavirus crisis, she launched a monthly card subscription service.
Forty-three people signed up in a matter of days, with orders being posted out as far afield as Halkirk and Hampshire.
Lisa said: “It’s not so easy to pop out for a card at the moment and if you’re anything like me, actually remembering to send one in the first place is half the battle!
"A lot of customers like to support local businesses where they can so I thought a card subscription service would not only act as a personal reminder but also encourage positivity for both the sender and recipient, and support those who depend on Caithness Foodbank at the same time.”
Over the coming months, Lisa is donating 25 per cent of all online sales directly to Caithness Foodbank.
“I felt a responsibility to do what I can to help during this uncertain time," she said. "After some number-crunching, I decided to pass what I’d normally offer as ‘trade discount’ to stockists straight on to the foodbank and my customers by offering free delivery throughout the UK until my stockists open their doors again.”
The sum of £373.75 was raised for Caithness Foodbank within two weeks as a result of online sales.
Pat Ramsay, a member of the Caithness Foodbank steering group, said: “We are overwhelmed by Lisa’s generosity and appreciate her thoughtfulness for others in our community. We will use the donation to buy additional foodstuffs as our stocks lessen over the weeks ahead.
"We have had so many donations of food and money from individuals and organisations and we say thank you to everyone. We help people in our area who require emergency support for financial reasons, and this has increased since the Covid-19 outbreak and the impact it has had on people’s jobs and income.”
