Free gritting salt for Inverness & Nairn
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A local initiative to help protect vulnerable pensioners from winter falls has proved so successful it’s being rolled out further this week thanks to local security firm The Castle Group.
The Dalcross based business recently bought £1,000 worth of gritting salt (matched by the Inverness Common Good Fund) which was distributed at Inverness and Nairn at the end of December.
The free salt will be available for collection at the car park at Strathaird Salmon (Longman Drive) in Inverness and at Nairn Town and County Hospital car park from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, January 19th. It is available on a first come first served basis and is limited to two bags per vehicle.
Managing Director Jim Ferguson is praising people for their generosity of spirit in taking care of vulnerable family and neighbours. He says he’s so impressed that his firm (and the Inverness Common Good Fund) is repeating the initiative: “The first batch of salt was picked up within a few hours by big hearted individuals who were keen to help more needy people in their community. We’re thrilled by the response to our campaign. We wanted to do something practical and this idea and partnership working came together very quickly. The feedback has been so positive we are considering doing it again next winter.” £4,000 in total has now been invested in the gritting salt.
Jean Pierre Sieczkarek from NHS Highland said: “We’re delighted that people took up the challenge to support vulnerable pensioners in their area and really this was the whole point of the campaign. The salt played a key role in encouraging people to think about others and if that thought of giving, and gratitude for their own wellbeing, stays with them for even one more day then it’s been incredibly worthwhile. The physical and emotional trauma caused by falls cannot be underestimated.” Thousands of people slip on the ice and suffer debilitating injuries in the UK every year. Last year 260 people were admitted to local hospitals in the Highlands for further treatment and care after a fall.
Inverness Provost Jimmy Gray said: “We’re thrilled that a private sector business has approached us with such a sensible and practical idea that goes a long way towards increasing community spirit and public safety. We’re very glad that the Inverness Common Good Fund has been able to support this initiative and create a positive working relationship between the public and private sector. This really sets the benchmark for other organisations.”
The Castle Group services the security needs of domestic and commercial customers across the Highlands and Islands, and has a strong presence in Moray and Grampian regions.