Noss Head Switching Station team get into festive spirit with donations to three local causes

Group of people standing outside in front of Christmas tree with a novelty chequessen-transmission_one-of-the-fishermens-mission-hampers-being-delivered-by-santa-to-seaview-nursing-home-resident-david-alexander.jpgGroup of people standing outside in front of Christmas tree with a novelty cheque

 

  • £2,000 to Caithness FM for Christmas Toy Appeal

  • £1,000 donated to Fishermen’s Mission to cover the cost of Christmas hampers to families supported by the charity

  • £300 to Caithness foodbank to help those most in need

 

 

SSEN Transmission project teams working on the Noss Head HVDC Switching Station project in Wick are getting into the Christmas spirit with donations to three local causes to help Caithness families most in need this Christmas.

Together teams from SSEN Transmission, Principal Contractor BAM Nuttall and their Sub-Contractors (including Global Infrastructure, G A Barnies, J D Pierce and VQC) provided prizes for a raffle on site that raised £2,000 which was donated Caithness FM in support of their Christmas Toy Appeal, which helps provide Christmas presents to disadvantaged children across the local area. 

Earlier this month teams donated £1,000 to cover the cost of 19 Christmas hampers on behalf of Fishermen’s Mission, a charity which offers care and support to fishermen, active or retired, and their families.  The hampers include special treats as well as cakes from local bakeries to help bring some festive joy to families who are supported by the charity.

Jackie Dodds, Port Officer for the Fishermen’s Mission in Caithness, delivered the hampers to families across Caithness with help from Santa Claus, played by Local Councillor Willie Mackay, to help bring some festive joy.  The lucky recipients were selected randomly from the large number of people that have been supported in the past two years by Fishermen’s Mission in Caithness. 

A donation of £300 was also made to the Caithness foodbank this week to help support and purchase emergency food and household items for families most in need this Christmas.  Part of the Trussell Trust, the Caithness foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

SSEN Transmission Construction Manager Andrew Henderson visited the team at the foodbank in Caithness to present the donation to foodbank staff on Friday.

SSEN Transmission Project Manager David Williams said:  “Supporting the community in which we work is really important to us, and what better way than to help out these three causes which do such incredible work in the community here in Caithness, particularly at this time of year.

“The Caithness foodbank is such a vital lifeline to families most in need, not just at this time of year, and we hope that our donation will help the foodbank to provide some extra items and comforts to people who need it most. 

“The local area has a large fishing community along with so many others affiliated to the sea, and Fishermen’s Mission play a huge role in providing care and support to many families in the Caithness area. We’re delighted to help bring some extra Christmas cheer by donating the cost of their Christmas hampers to families supported by the charity this year, and hope it helps bring a little extra festive joy after what has been a difficult year for so many.”

Jackie Dodds, Port Officer for the Fishermen’s Mission in Caithness, said:  "We have been very fortunate to have been offered funding by SSEN Transmission for a number of wonderful hampers to bring a little Christmas cheer. 

"It has been lovely to be able to do something nice for people at this time of year.  The hampers were very much appreciated and there were a lot of smiling faces while we were out delivering them.  One of the items Inside each hamper was a homemade cake baked by the Community Cafe in Thurso.   Local Councillor Willie Mackay was fantastic as always as Santa and he certainly helped everyone we met get into the festive mood."       

Pat Ramsay, Trustee and Volunteer at Caithness Foodbank, said:  “Caithness  Foodbank were delighted to accept the cheque from SSEN Transmission and BAM Nuttall. The money will be put to good use to help us stock up on needed items. We do run out of some essentials from time to time so having money to go out and purchase things is a great support. 

 “The support we receive in our Caithness community is heart-warming and especially at Christmas time. There are many needy people in our community and they too, are grateful. Thank you to SSEN Transmission and BAM Nuttall from the volunteers and clients.” 

 The Noss Head Switching Station is making good progress, with teams recently completing the outer steelwork of the new structure.    Once complete, the new switching station will serve as a key component in the proposed HVDC subsea cable from Shetland, connecting the island to the main National Grid for the first time. 

 To read more about the project visit: Caithness HVDC Switching Station (ssen-transmission.co.uk)