A FATHER-OF-FIVE with terminal cancer has thanked the “kind-hearted souls of East Lothian” who donated to his Christmas foodbank initiative to help people in need this winter.

For six weeks, Tranent fundraiser Johnnie Meechan worked day and night to raise money and collect donations.

The former IT and postal worker, who is now medically retired, was diagnosed with terminal neuroendocrine (NET) cancer six years ago and given five years to live – he now works to raise awareness of NET cancer and funds to fight it.

His winter foodbank drive invited people to donate money, food, toiletries and cleaning products to help East Lothian families in need.

As a thank you to those who donated, every individual who donated an item or money to the Johnnie’s Journey initiative was entered into a raffle to win a variety of prizes such as bottles of alcohol, vouchers for county restaurants, sporting memorabilia, family days out, beauty vouchers and more.

The winners of the raffle were announced live on the Johnnie’s Journey Facebook page on December 23.

Two days earlier, the Johnnie’s Journey team began a cash and carry run, spending more than £1,400 on shopping for specific requests from a number of charities across East Lothian.

In addition, the team collected pet supplies for donation as “they are often in demand”.

The team then delivered food and gifts to various community groups including East Lothian Roots & Fruits, East Lothian Foodbank, Pennypit Community Development Trust, Home-Start East Lothian and Wallyford/Whitecraig Community Support.

Johnnie, who lives in the Coalgate area with wife Evelyn, has thanked his supporters.

He said: “One thing we heard from every resource is they are receiving excellent support from kind-hearted souls which is allowing them to fulfil the huge demand from people in need. But they also stated that it’s going out as fast as it’s being donated.

“So if you are able to help one of these resources, now is the time.

“From the foodbank to the groups delivering meals and care packages to the community, they all rely on the kindness of us all.

“I’d like to give a massive thank you to all the amazing people who donated to our JustGiving page, to the legends who collected food and toiletries for us, to the wonderful businesses who helped us with raffle prizes, the sports clubs who supported us, the groups who helped us in return with item donations and for every single share, comment, like and shout out.”

East Lothian Roots and Fruits said: “What an absolutely outstanding effort from Johnnie and his team.”