A charity set up to remember a Moray teenager has launched a lifesaving fund to support communities across the region.
Keiran’s Legacy, which was set up by Gordon and Sandra McKandie following the death of their son, has been given a £4,000 boost to pay for emergency equipment.
The cash can be used to pay for up to four defibrillators to be deployed to communities across the region to ensure the youngster continues to be remembered.
Meanwhile, the charity has pledged to cover the cost of boxes that provide 24-hour access to the lifesaving equipment, which can cost several thousand pounds on their own.
Now the cause is inviting bids from groups who need help to bring the first defibrillator to their area.
Keiran McKandie, from Miltonduff, was 16 years old when he died following a collision with a car while cycling on the outskirts of Elgin in March 2016.
Since then, his family have devoted themselves to funding defibrillators across the north-east, including spearheading an initiative that has led to them being carried in police cars.
Mrs McKandie said: “We really want to favour the people who don’t already have a defibrillator in their area at all at the moment – especially rural communities.
“It’s so important to have them close when emergencies happen because they really do save lives.
“This is our way of getting out there to make sure the equipment is as easy to access as possible.”
Keiran’s Legacy was awarded the funding from the Money for Moray scheme, which supports small projects across the region.
The cash was donated following pitches from charities with the audience in Rothes voting for the projects, which all had a healthy living theme, most deserving of support from the £60,000 pot financed by the Scottish Government.
The closing date for applications is Friday, June 8. Groups will be required to write a rationale for why they are most deserving of support to buy a defibrillator.
Application forms to the fund can be obtained by e-mailing keiranslegacy@outlook.com
