A NEWLY launched scheme providing emergency food and support to people in crisis, and the group behind a community garden, have received a cash boost.
Lammermuir Larder and Amisfield Preservation Trust have both benefited from housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel’s building communities fund.
Thirteen groups throughout Britain have received a share of £13,000, with the developer looking to help organisations navigate their way through lockdown restrictions.
Lammermuir Larder was launched by the town’s resilience team, whose initiative is the third strand to food and clothing projects set up by Haddington and District Community Council during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pat Lemmon, vice-chairwoman of the town’s community council, was delighted with the £1,000 donation.
She said: “In this day and age, it’s hard to believe that people still go hungry and without proper warm clothing.
“Our funds were set to run out early in 2021 so this funding will make a huge difference to us as we help those who need urgent assistance.”
Amisfield Preservation Trust manages Amisfield Walled Garden, on the eastern edge of Haddington.
The group was established to restore and develop the historic Amisfield Walled Garden, which is open to the public within current Scottish Government Covid-19 guidelines, for the enjoyment and benefit of the public.
Kate Rycroft, chairwoman of the group, was similarly thrilled to receive £1,000.
She said: “We will use the money to develop a traditional Scottish ‘potager’ garden, where fruit and vegetables are grown alongside herbs and flowering plants.
“The garden will be used to demonstrate how plants can be used both for food and for health and healing.
“The garden will be designed and built by our volunteer team and will enable us to continue our work to use gardening to encourage social inclusion and to improve mental and physical health through learning new skills, socialising and working with nature.”
Joanne Casey, director at Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “We have always cared deeply about the people in the communities where we want to make a positive difference, especially where people have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are committed to helping organisations and projects that benefit people’s lives through our Building Communities Fund and we know their work is more valuable than ever due to Covid-19.”
For more information on Lammermuir Larder, email team@lammermuirlarder.co.uk, and to find out more about Amisfield Preservation Trust, go to www.amisfield.org.uk
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