Red letter day as mystery benefactor hands out cash in Highland town

Published on Friday 10 October 2008 22:09

BRITAIN may be in the throes of a devastating financial meltdown, fuelled by corporate greed and money-grabbing hedge funders. But in a remote corner of the UK, the spirit of benevolence and compassion is positively flourishing.

Bright red envelopes have been hand-delivered in the dead of night to property throughout the Moray market town of Keith – spreading joy across the rural community.

A mystery benefactor is estimated to have shared out around 10,000 to various good causes, ranging from a playgroup that cares for children with special needs to a silver band and a local youth group. At least six organisations and charities have received bankers' drafts for sums ranging from 500 to 2,000.

Last night Stewart Cree, a local councillor, praised the generosity of the anonymous donor. He said: "It is wonderful to think that, in these troubled times, there are still people out there who recognise the value of local organisations.

"There are a lot of good and hard-working little organisations which do a tremendous amount for the town and the people who live in Keith. And I am just delighted that, whoever has chosen to give them this money, they have chosen some very deserving causes."

Mr Cree said there was no way of knowing how many thousands of pounds had been distributed around the town.

He said: "I think some of the charities are taking the view that this person wants the donations to be anonymous and they are respecting that and have not made the donations public."

However, what is known is that two bankers drafts for 2,000 each have been delivered to the Sunshine Playgroup, formed over 20 years ago to help children with special needs, and the St Rufus, Botriphnie and Grange Youth Group, run by a Church of Scotland minister.

The 1st Keith Guides have received 1,500, the Keith Silver Band got 1,000 and donations of 500 each have been delivered to representatives of the Strathisla Playgroup and the 4th Keith Brownies.

Elizabeth Runcie, the co-chairwoman of the Sunshine Playgroup, said: "It's just lovely to know that there is still somebody with a bit of decency about them in the world. The donation came out of the blue. Our playgroup is for kids with special needs and we only get 30 per cent of our funding from Moray Council.

"Every year we are looking to raise about 10,000 and it's always a struggle. Getting 2,000 makes a tremendous difference. It was a wonderful gesture."

Mrs Runcie said the playgroup had recently received a donation of 10,000 to buy equipment from Lady Laidlaw, the wife of the Keith-born peer Lord Laidlaw, Scotland's richest man, who now lives in Monaco.

But she stressed: "I am sure Lord Laidlaw doesn't go about putting anonymous bank drafts for 2,000 through folk's doors.

"I wonder if someone who has passed away has asked that these anonymous donations should be made to these groups."

Fiona Simpson, the local guide leader, revealed: "I was sitting at home one night when the bank draft arrived through the letter box inside a red envelope. There was no message with it. It was just a bank draft for 1,500 made payable to the 1st Keith Guides. There was no explanation.

"I was absolutely dumbfounded and I asked the bank to pass on our thanks."

Wendy Jones, the secretary of the silver band, said: "This is the first time anything like this has happened in Keith, but nobody has a clue who is responsible."