Dalkeith delivers during lockdown

Dalkeith Delivers has been operating out of Dalkeith Miners’ Club, delivering three times a week, for four weeks now.

Ann Stewart-Kmicha is chairwoman of Dalkeith and District Community Council, which has been steering the new group. She explained more about Dalkeith Delivers: “It was set-up by the community council with some local organisations and individuals who wanted to help out during the Covid-19 crisis. Local churches, businesses and groups helped.

“The council originally asked for volunteers through community life-long learning and the community council approaching people, as well as through the Kindness Midlothian website.

“We started with 30 people we were helping, it went up to 100 by the end of the first week, and it’s now 130.

“The people that are benefiting come from a variety of categories. Older people, some shielded, some with learning difficulties, some people with vulnerable families, and some people who are just feeling lost and lonely. It’s good we can ask how they are doing and give them some food.

“Folk we have been delivering to have all said it makes a difference. It sometimes brings a tear to your eye. Everybody has been so grateful.

“We are not doing it for the gratitude though, we are doing it to help others through this. It’s really brought the community together.”

Ann spoke more about the people behind Dalkeith Delivers, she said: “We have a core group of 10 people, obviously all doing it voluntarily, paying for their own petrol etc, which is fantastic as it means more funds for other stuff.

“Tracey Whitehead and Colin Kerr are the caterers, cooking at the Miners’ Club. Joy Godfrey is the co-ordinator, along with myself I guess.

“I want to thank Dalkeith Miners’ Club, as we couldn’t have done this without them.

“There have been lots of people who have changed stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

“It’s quite difficult delivering hot food. Rules and regulations, health and safety. So environmental health at the council were very helpful and informative.”

The Dalkeith Delivers hot food delivery service has been funded by Scottish Government funding, distributed via Midlothian Council.

The group was pleasantly surprised on the anniversary of VE-Day last Friday to receive a video message acknowledging their efforts and encouraging them to keep up the good work, from the newly appointed Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian Richard Callander.

“It was nice to get the recognition from the Lord Liuetenant,” added Ann.