All the counsellors give their time and dedication to Cruse in a voluntary capacity, and twice a year they hold fund raising functions for the Deveron Branch (based in Turriff). This year, one of those events was to seek donations by offering to pack shoppers’ bags at the Turriff Tesco checkouts.
All the funds raised stay locally, and will be used to buy new books for their library, and finance the ongoing training required to keep volunteers up to the high standards required by Cruse Scotland. The Deveron Branch of Cruse covers Fraserburgh, Memsie, New Pitsligo, Huntly, Oldmeldrum, Banff, Macduff and anywhere else within that area, and the counsellors are kept busy with many referrals coming from GP’s and other health professionals.
Dr Whiteford commented:
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| Turriff's Alan Scott having his bag packed by Eilidh Whiteford MP while Rae Gibbs (l) and Jane Pirie (r) look on |
“As an MP, I am very much aware of the excellent job which Cruse counsellors do in providing comfort, sympathy and very practical advice for those suffering the loss of a loved one. Their support has proved invaluable for many individuals and helped them through what, for many, has been the most traumatic and distressing time of their lives.
“I am delighted that local people responded so generously to Cruse’s efforts resulting in the magnificent sum of £722.87 being raised on the day.“