Jamie Ross
Prisoners at the new north-east superjail at Peterhead have been getting into the festive spirit to help families in need this Christmas.
Inmates have been packing food hampers and making tree decorations in aid of charity.
The baubles, stars and hearts created in the prison’s art classes have raised £238 for the Gift Tree scheme, which is run by a partnership of local voluntary organisations and businesses.
Tutor Vicky Irvine said: “We have been really fortunate in getting a kiln and potter’s wheel purchased for the art department and to start the guys off we introduced them to working with clay and using the cutters to create the shapes.
“They really took to it and came up with some fantastic designs which they have coloured, glazed and fired in the kiln.
“They were quite rightly very proud of their festive creations and then they came up with the idea of selling the decorations to raise money for the Gift Tree food hamper initiative which has also been well supported by the prison.”
Prison governor Jim Farish added: “We are all very proud of the prisoners’ commitment to the Gift Tree project and we have been hugely-impressed by the quality and flair shown in their festive decorations.”
Simon Bedford of the Here for You partnership, which leads the Gift Tree scheme in association with partner agencies including Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Once again we are indebted to those at HMP and YOI Grampian for supporting our food hamper initiative this year.
“There has been a fantastic response to this year’s Gift Tree from a very early stage and I would like to thank all our hosts, partner agencies and the community of Peterhead for that ongoing support.”
Local residents, groups and businesses have been donating a range of non-perishable items for food hampers as part of this year’s Gift Tree appeal. The packages are being distributed to needy members of the community for Christmas.