Allotment plan aims to dig deep to help appeal

A novel fundraising idea to help sick children in hospital by renting out allotments for people to grow their own food has taken a step forward with the donation of land by an Inverness businessman.

David Sutherland is making a three-acre site on the city outskirts available to the ARCHIE Foundation, which launched a £2 million appeal in conjunction with The Inverness Courier to create a new children’s department at Raigmore Hospital.

Although it is still at the early stages, the vision is to create up to 50 ARCHIE’s Allotments on land between the Culduthel Christian Centre and the Southern Distributor Road.

Revenue would go directly to the appeal, while the local community would be provided with the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables. It could also provide an educational resource to promote healthy lifestyles.

Taking inspiration from other community food projects in the UK and Canada, it is envisaged ARCHIE’s Allotments could become an "incredible edible" venture for Inverness.

Mr Sutherland, who describes himself as an "ambassador" for the ARCHIE Foundation, said there had been terrific public support in raising funds.

He acknowledged there were hurdles to overcome in creating ARCHIE’s Allotments, including securing planning permission for a change of use of the land which is zoned for farming.

Any long-term plans by Highland Council to widen the Southern Distributor Road would also have to be taken into account.

However, he believes the project has potential.

"It introduces people back to the land, linking them to good wholesome food by growing their own on these allotments," he said. "It is very educational for children to see it growing."

It is not the first time, he has donated land for allotments. In February, Mr Sutherland and his wife, Anne, who run Home Farms, donated land to the Blackthorn Allotments Association. That project is still being developed.

ARCHIE Foundation fundraising manager Allana Mackay hopes ARCHIE’s Allotments will be supported by the local community.

"We are extremely grateful to David Sutherland for this very generous donation," she said. "At present, this is a vision with fantastic potential. There is a lot of ground work still to be done but we are confident we can turn this into reality.

"Our main objective from this is to raise money for the ARCHIE Foundation while providing a fantastic educational space for the local community."

Inverness personal trainer Jamie Tulloch, who also supports the appeal, has also come up with similar ideas after visiting Canada two years ago.

"For me this project is all about getting children involved with fruits and vegetables and raising the awareness of healthier living," he said.

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