Dumfries and Galloway charities receive £135,000 Christmas surprise from Kirkcudbright firm

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Two charities have shared a £135,000 Christmas surprise from one of the Stewartry’s biggest employers. Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association and Galloway Mountain Rescue team received the money from Kirkcudbright pâté producer Castle MacLellan after being nominated by their team of more than 100 employees.

The cheques were handed over this week when representatives from the charities turned up at the factory thinking they were pitching for funding – not knowing they would be presented with a sizeable sum.

Castle MacLellan and sister company Primula Cheese donates all its profits to good causes via their owner the Kavli Trust. Factory operations manager Sam Warren said: “We are delighted to be surprising two fantastic beneficiaries with a donation totalling £135,000 this December. “Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis and its effect on businesses, we felt it was only right to increase the amount we donated earlier in the year, ensuring those who need it most are well looked after. “We’ve donated to two more fantastic local charities this year, chosen by our team, who were keen to make sure the impact of the donations can be felt in our region. “At Castle MacLellan, supporting our local community is at the heart of what we do, which is why we donate all our profits to good causes. “All of our team are proud to see the money donated go directly towards helping and supporting our local communities.” The rescue team received £75,000 which will go towards new equipment, including an all-weather drone and a rescue raft.

And the mental health association was given £60,000, which it plans to use to fund refurbishments and equipment for its shops as well as providing mindfulness benches in several