Leading Scottish quarrying and construction materials company, Tillicoultry Quarries dug deep last week (14 August 2020) to surprise Strathcarron Hospice with support for the essential resurfacing of its road entranceway and car parking facilities.

With a dedication to local communities since its inception in 1931, Tillicoultry Quarries has a long history of community engagement and support for local causes, from charitable donations to boosting local employability, using locally sourced labour, materials and goods or encouraging its employees to make positive contributions to the community.

The essential resurfacing works were planned at Strathcarron Hospice in Denny, near Falkirk, to ensure sufficient parking and access to the specialist palliative and end of life care services, which they have been expertly providing since 1981.

A few days before works was due to begin, Chief Executive of the charity, Irene McKie, took a call from Tillicoultry Quarries’ Director, Wallace Menzies, about a delivery of tarmac being supplied by them later that week.

Irene explained,

“Tillicoultry Quarries has certainly made a big difference to us during a difficult period. Wallace didn’t initially know the order was for us as it was ordered through the company undertaking the works, but when he heard it was for Strathcarron Hospice, he offered a donation towards the cost of the material and asked if some of his team could come and take a look at the works for themselves. After the work was complete, Managing Director, Ian Menzies and Area Manager, Russell Sinnott from Tillicoultry Quarries visited, with a donation of the full cost of the materials, which was a wonderful surprise.”

For Strathcarron, many vital sources of funding or fundraising activities are no longer possible due to Covid-19 restrictions. With daily costs to support all patients, both at the Hospice and in the local communities across Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, amounting to over £13,000 each day, every donation is of huge significance to the charity.

Irene went on,

“Without the kind donations we regularly receive from sponsorship from participants at races such as the Edinburgh Marathon, funeral services, donation boxes in shops, bars or restaurants, friends of Strathcarron Hospice group activities or international events such as the Kilimanjaro Climb to raise money, there has been a real financial impact of Covid-19 on Strathcarron Hospice and the vital work we do. With many of our funding sources cut off for several months now, it has been a really difficult time for our business and we’re so grateful to the Tillicoultry Quarries team for their support and their donation of £15,688. We celebrate every donation, but this one has come at a time when we need it most.”

Tillicoultry Quarries has 15 sites across Central Scotland, the largest site being Northfield based in Denny with other sites based in locations such as Harthill, Tillicoultry, Peebles and North Ayrshire. Its community engagement programme also includes charitable donations to a variety of worthy causes such as Action for Children and Bowel Cancer UK, alongside the support of local groups, sponsorship and fundraising for events and galas.

Director of Tillicoultry Quarries, Wallace Menzies, said,

“We are a family business and our roots are instilled in the local communities we work and live in through ongoing activities, in terms of funding, employment and support of local charities, businesses and community groups. With all the difficulties and hardships faced by so many in recent months, it has never been more essential for us to do everything we can to support the communities we serve. We were delighted to find an opportunity to support the great work of Strathcarron Hospice through our donation in support of the essential resurfacing works and hope that it goes some way in showing our appreciation for the work they do.”