An Aberdeen minister has apologised to the community he serves for describing it as “poor”.
Markus Aufferman, the minister of Woodside Parish Church, last month made an emotional appeal to P&J readers for funds to pay for a wheelchair lift in the church hall.
Rev Aufferman described the Woodside area as “one of the poorer parts” of the city when making the plea.
But he has since been criticised by the local community and asked to “set the record straight”.
He said: “The article sadly to some degree backfired because some people are now at me because they think I believe Woodside to be deprived.
“I only wanted to highlight that parts of Woodside are regeneration areas and that therefore some people would financially not necessarily be able to help us to get such a wheelchair lift in the hallway of the church that leads to the halls and activities so that wheelchair users can take part in the future.
“There are, of course, other parts in Woodside where people have their own private houses and so on.
“I did not mean to offend or insult anybody, and if I have done so I deeply apologise.
“Woodside is a nice area with a great community and good housing, and shopping and social facilities.
“Money towards a wheelchair lift has been donated and greatly appreciated but there is still a long way to go.”
Woodside historically was a separate community to Aberdeen and harbours a number of granite buildings built in Victorian times.
Local councillor George Adam defended the minister, and said while he may have “put his foot in it”, he would not have meant to cause any offence.
MR Adam said: “Woodside is a mixed area not a poor one.
“It’s rich in many ways including the way the people care so much for their area.
“It has a rich heritage and as a result a great community spirit.
“It’s the kind of place where people get involved in the community and help each other out.
“Markus has been very involved with the community so I really don’t think he meant to cause any offence. He probably just used the wrong words.”
To donate to the wheelchair lift appeal, send a cheque to Rev Markus Auffermann, Woodside Parish Church of Scotland, Church St, Woodside, Aberdeen, AB24 4HQ.