A former world champion boxer has moved from pugilism to philanthropy by helping to launch a charity shop in the north-east.
The Aberdeen Assassin Lee McAllister made an appearance in Fraserburgh yesterday in his role as a patron of the ex-forces charity Soldiers Off the Street.
The group – which aims to tackle homelessness in the region – will be supported by Joyce MacMillan’s shop on the port’s High Street.
Ms MacMillan, who herself has been homeless twice, previously served in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps as a nursing stewardess.
That was one of the reasons why she invited the boxer to attend the official launch of her shop – Privates on Parade.
She said: “It is helpful having someone like Lee on board. The shop itself is a charity shop, but we also sell forces-related items.
“It’s named Privates on Parade Shop – Pops – in memory of my dad.”
Mr McAllister added: “It’s a charity I have been finding out more about of late, trying to promote it.
“You don’t hear much about homeless former veterans and how many of them are left to fend for themselves.
“I thought there would be something in place for them, but it seems like it’s a fighting struggle for them.
“It’s the little things that you do that mount up.”
Former infantry man Alf Appleby also volunteers his time with he group.
He got involved with the charity after marching from Doncaster to Fraserburgh while suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder – a journey which took him four weeks to complete.
He said: “I suffer from PTSD and when it strikes, you may as well chop my head off.
“My military training takes over, I just have to walk.
“I have been here two years now and the charity helped me pay a month’s rent, they paid a bond up front and that was all done within eight hours of me arriving in Fraserburgh.
“So I am just trying to pay back some of the things they have given me.
“It is heartbreaking when you see people sat on the street corners begging where they can’t get any help.
“I just want to try and make a difference.”
