Praise and thanks for community response to power failure

Senior Highland Councillors have praised the tremendous community spirit shown in Lochaber over the past few days in responding to the loss of power and water supplies caused by the recent stormy weather.

Convener Sandy Park, Leader Michael Foxley, Provost of Lochaber Allan Henderson and Chief Executive Alistair Dodds are writing to the Council’s Care at Home team and the British Red Cross to thank them for going the extra mile to ensure that heaters, hot food and water supplies were delivered to vulnerable people in Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Mallaig and surrounding area and that emergency accommodation was found.

Staff at residential homes at Strontian and Mallaig were also thanked for their efforts in easing the disruption of power loss by providing meals to vulnerable members of the communities.

More than 50 Red Cross staff were on duty at the weekend to support Care at Home and community nursing staff in maintaining vital services as the loss of power from Wednesday’s gales continued.

They were supported by staff from SSE, Scottish Water as well as local Coastguard and Lifeboat teams. Staff from the Strontian Hotel visited homes of local people to offer hot meals.

Councillor Park said: “The response from the Council, the Red Cross, NHS Highland, SSE and Scottish Water and the wider community was magnificent and it is very heart-warming to hear of such an effective community-led response. I know that our staff were busy in other parts of the Highlands combatting the effects of the storms and they deserve our sincere thanks as well.”

Councillor Foxley said: “The Council deeply appreciates the response from public agencies and volunteers, who pulled together to ensure that those most in need of support got the help they needed at this time of emergency.”

Provost of Lochaber, Councillor Allan Henderson added: “Our sincere thanks go  to everyone who went the extra mile to help their local community. A tremendous effort by all.”