A kind-hearted businessman and his customers have raised £1,000 towards winter clothing for some of the north-east’s most deprived children.
Norman Esslemont encouraged his customers to donate a little bit more than 5p for a carrier bag when buying something from his Aberdeen stores, with proceeds going to social care charity VSA.
New legislation came into force in October requiring a minimum 5p charge for each single-use carrier bag.
Through the charge, Norman Esslemont – owner of Esslemonts and Esslemonts 2, both on Thistle Street – raised around £500 in customer donations, and has doubled this amount out of his own pocket.
All money raised will go towards VSA’s drive to provide as many deprived children in the north-east with appropriate winter clothing throughout the chilliest time of year.
Mr Esslemont said: “We have to now charge at least 5p for carrier bags and (there was) encouragement from the government to put it towards some green and charitable cause.
“I spoke to VSA and said, ‘are there any special projects that this could go towards in the lead up to Christmas?’ And they came back and said, ‘yes, if you could provide more hats, scarves and gloves’.”
When customers in his shops saw the proprietor was going to match the total donated, more and more money was dropped in.
Mr Esslemont added: “When we said it was all going to charity, and we said we were going to match any customers donations in the run up to Christmas, that helped them, instead of putting in 5p people put in £1 or £2.”
Alan Reid, spokesman for the charity, said: “The money will go towards vulnerable children, so we can purchase coats, scarves and gloves for vulnerable children at this time of year.
“We are very pleased by this very kind gesture to support vulnerable children in the community and especially to his customers and him for topping raising £1,000, which is fantastic.”
Mr Esslemont added: “Whilst there is great wealth, there are areas of deprivation and one tends to forget that there is still a large number of needy people in the north-east.”