One of Aberdeenshire’s newest men’s sheds is celebrating a funding boost to the tune of thousands of pounds.
The Ellon and District Men’s Shed has been gifted £7,500 as the centre takes shape on Hospital Road.
The money was donated to the group by North Sea oil and gas firm Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd.
The group were handed a disused Aberdeenshire Council depot by the local authority in April last year.
Men’s Sheds act as a workshop and social space for people to work on projects and chat with friends.
The Ellon Men’s Shed project is currently transforming the facility into the ideal space for its members, so it can be utilised for a diverse range of activities.
The organisation is already active in the local community, helping build greenhouses and children’s play houses.
Chairman of the Ellon and District Men’s Shed, Colin Grieve, said: “We’re very grateful to receive this generous donation. It will go a long way in helping us to restore our shed into a new space for local men to enjoy.
“I retired eight months ago and I was concerned about how I was going to fill my time, but the men’s shed has certainly kept me busy with good company and projects to keep me occupied.”
Donations committee chairwoman for Nexen, Francesca Ray, said: “It’s great to see such a passionate group who are committed to their local community and prepared to get stuck into transforming this space for their members to use.
“We wish them every success with their renovation and look forward to seeing the finished project.”
Other successful men’s shed schemes have been set up in Westhill, Inverurie and Banchory.
The Ellon group is currently fundraising for the first phase of development on the shed, holding a quiz night at the town’s McDonald Golf Club his month in an effort to raise money.
The men’s shed movement was kick-started in Australia with the aim of tackling loneliness and promoting healthier lifestyles to men who are retired, unemployed or recovering from illness.
