Highland business helps tackle social isolation through annual fund

A Highland-based business has community at the heart of its operations.

The Cairngorm Group has been pivotal in ensuring there are opportunities for all since its inception over 70 years ago.

From humble beginnings, providing straw for children’s pet rabbits, to today, providing grants to various community groups and organisations through Jennifer’s Fund.

Jennifer McBurnie was the daughter of the Cairngorm Group’s chairman, David Dowling and sister of the current joint managing directors, Scott and Chris Dowling.

Sadly, in July 2021, the family lost Jennifer to cancer at the age of 42. She was married to Adrian & had three children. Jennifer had worked in the family business during the school holidays as a teenager but chose a career as a Physiotherapist within the NHS.

One of Jennifer's priorities in life was making memories with her family. To use her own words, she valued family time together more than having the latest toy or gadget.

To honour her memory, the Cairngorm Group has pledged a minimum of £10,000 per year into Jennifer's Fund for groups or individuals.

One of this year’s recipients of the fund is Beauly and District Care, which was set up to tackle social isolation within the local community.

It provides a range of activities that older community members can participate in. A lunch club is run on the first Monday of every month, which is extremely popular with more than 40 people attending and entertainment is also provided.

There is also a community garden and two walking groups, one of which is just a short wander with a cup of tea and chat afterward.

Speaking about the donation from The Cairngorm Group, a spokesperson for Beauly and District Care said: “With the money provided we have been able to take the members of the group out for lunch and an excursion in the bus, which has proved to be popular.

“We have a minibus which was provided to us by the Highland Cross 10 years ago which allows us to pick up the less able and go for runs and shopping trips.

“Fundraising is always challenging and we are so grateful to Jennifer’s Fund for giving us the opportunity to take our members out for lunch without it involving a cost to them.

“This extra monthly trip has been very much enjoyed, especially as most of the trips took place during the drearier months of the year. For some of our members this is the only opportunity they have to leave the village and enjoy the company of their peer group.

“Thank you so much for your support.”

Managing director of The Cairngorm Group, Chris Dowling said: “We were delighted to be able to support the work of Beauly & District care as we know how much of an issue social isolation is right now.

“Sometimes the most simple ideas are the best and most effective like arranging a time when people living on their own can get together for lunch and meet new people. We know that as a health professional, this was the type of activity Jennifer was very much in support of as she used to talk about a holistic approach to health, which included

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