Macallan’s Generosity Supports Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North

Erskine Veterans Activity Centre North (EVACN) in Forres raised an impressive £3,100 at a community coffee morning held last November to support the centre’s kitchen renovation. Thanks to the generosity of The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, this total has now been significantly increased through matched funding to £9,300, ensuring every pound donated by the local community will go even further.

The coffee morning was supported by Jim Murdoch, an employee at The Macallan Distillery and the son of EVACN member Simon Murdoch. Keen to give something back, Jim helped organise the event and secured additional support through Edrington, the company that owns The Macallan Distillery, which triple-matches employee fundraising efforts.

Centre members currently enjoy regular soup and sandwich lunches, but a new, fully functioning kitchen will create opportunities to expand and vary the menu, while also introducing cooking as an additional activity within the centre’s already busy calendar.

Upgrading the EVACN kitchen will support veterans’ health and wellbeing, particularly those who live alone or face daily challenges, while continuing to provide a safe, welcoming space for friendship, routine, purpose, and support. Sharing freshly prepared meals in good company will make a meaningful difference to many members.

Shaun Moat, Chair of the Members Committee at EVACN, said:

“This is about more than a kitchen. It’s about making sure no veteran walks out of here hungry or unseen. A warm meal and a bit of chat can pull you out of a dark place. I’m incredibly proud of what our members, volunteers, and supporters achieved – especially seeing the total raised more than triple last year’s amount.”

David Grant, Centre Manager at EVACN, added:

“The generosity shown was outstanding. Every raffle prize, every home bake, and every cup of tea played a part. Thanks to this fundraising, we’ll be able to provide proper hot lunches on site – something our members have been asking for and will really benefit from.”

Michael Parkes, North Fundraising and Development Manager, said:

“£3,100 is transformational for a member-led project like this. With the support of Jim, Edrington, and everyone who came along, we can now move forward with the refurbishment and deliver what our veterans deserve – warmth, dignity, and support.”

Ends

Photo captions:
Photo 1: Jim Murdoch presenting the cheque to Vice Chair Garry Burgess.
Photo 2: Jim Murdoch presenting the cheque to Julie Lockwood (Volunteer), Michael Parkes (Fundraising Manager North), Nicky Jones (Activities Co-ordinator), and Garry Burgess (Vice Chair of Members Committee).

For further information:
Susan Hamilton, Communications Officer
Tel: 0141 814 4719 | Email: susan.hamilton@erskine.org.uk

The generosity of our supporters allows the charity to maintain its commitment to caring for Scotland’s veterans – without donations, we simply cannot continue this work.

To find out more about Erskine Veterans Charity’s work, please visit www.erskine.org.uk, follow us on Twitter @ErskineCharity, or on Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity. To donate directly, please visit www.erskine.org.uk/donate.

Erskine Veterans Charity | Company No. SC174103 | Registered Charity No. SC006609 | The Erskine Home, Erskine Veterans Village, Bishopton, PA7 5PU