Cooke staff raise thousands for care home residents

STAFF at Cooke Aquaculture have helped raise more than £4,500 to go to care home residents at three isles homes.

A Christmas raffle organised by the company at its festive party in Unst last month helped to raise £2,260 – which has been matched by Cooke Scotland, for an overall total of £4,520.

The money will be split evenly and donated to the Unst, Yell and Walls care homes through the Hansel Fund, which helps buy residents gifts and promotes wellness activities.

The raffle draw saw employees at Cooke vie for prizes such as vouchers for travel, hotels and jewellery, as well as an air fryer and Christmas hampers.

Cooke Scotland’s Shetland office manager Katrine Johnson, who organised the raffle, said they had been “completely overwhelmed” by the generosity shown by staff and the companies who donated prizes.

“As a family business and one of the largest employers on the island, helping the local community is incredibly important to all of the staff at Cooke Scotland,” she said.

“The Christmas party was made even more enjoyable knowing that money raised from the raffle will be used to support so many residents of the care centres in the areas we operate in.

“Thank you to every member of our staff who bought tickets and helped raised funds towards this great cause.

“A special thank you to all our many suppliers who gifted so generously to the raffle prizes.

Council leader Emma Macdonald said they were “very grateful” to Cooke and its staff for this “kind donation”.

“I know from personal experience just how much our care centre residents and staff appreciate the Hansel funds, which help provide birthday gifts, entertainment and wellbeing activities which fall outside of normal service provision,” she added.