A Moray man who spends his time turning scrap metal into charitable donations has presented a special thank you gift to the firm that keeps his fundraising ticking over.
Brian Henderson has collected and sold almost £5,000 worth of scrap in the last three years.
The retired forklift driver visits local businesses and tradesmen around Elgin to clear away and strip down their old appliances and machinery for valuable metals.
His efforts are aided by a number of companies, including Wiseman Plumbing and Heating and Stay Warm Boiler and Heating Services.
Yesterday, the volunteer paid tribute to his main sponsors — Gordon and Kate Shanks at Elgin Refrigeration Services — by presenting them with a hand-crafted wooden clock, specially made by his brother-in-law.
Mr Shanks, managing director of Elgin Refrigeration Services, said: “The clock is beautiful. The one on our mantlepiece packed in not too long ago. So, when Brian appeared with this, I thought that will sit on there wonderfully.
“This man does a lot for charity. He’s got a heart of gold, and there are not many people who would do what he does.
“A lot of the time it costs us money to get rid of our spare copper piping and equipment, so when we had heard what Brian had been doing we asked him if he wanted it.
“He said he would spend the time to sort it all out, and he has done a wonderful job.”
Mr Henderson said: “I wanted to buy something nice to say thank you to the Shanks for everything they have done for me and all the stuff they have given me.
“Everyone helps me out so much, and there’s plenty more charity money to come, but the Shanks give me a yard and have given me a lot of stuff.”
Mr Henderson was left devastated last August when thieves stole a half-tonne copper ball he was planning to sell in aid of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Aberdeen.
Despite never recovering the ball, he vowed to raise money for young patients anyway and presented £1,000 to the children’s ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin in December.