It was all hands on deck yesterday as volunteers gathered in Dumfries to pack and distribute Easter Gesture meal parcels to help 363 underprivileged families.
After months of fundraising, community campaigner Lee Vann-Wakelin and his army of supporters sent them out to the agencies which will pass them on to nominated recipients.
Lee’s goal was to raise £2,000 but that kicked off a generous cash boost by a mystery benefactor.
It is now revealed that the woman who tripled the appeal total to £6,000 is a kind-hearted American who has been following Lee’s fundraising campaigns online.
Rachel Reynolds, who lives in Arlington, Texas, met Lee and his family in 2018 through a “group page” when they were on holiday and they have kept in touch.
She donated the £4,000 in memory of her late husband, Scott, and has supported Lee’s festive fundraising in the past – saying how much she admires the Dumfries community spirit.
She told the Standard: “When I saw one of Lee’s Christmas benefits he was doing I donated and it just grew from there.
“Honestly, I like helping where I can and I have done this in memory of my husband – a veteran of the Iraq War.
“He was a giving and loving man. This is my way of honouring him.”
Rachel is planning to visit Dumfries for Christmas and is looking forward to meeting up with other supporters of Lee’s appeals.
The campaign was helped by Dumfries High School – where Lee is a learning assistant – with staff and pupils donating 240 Easter eggs.
Lee, 47, said: “To be able to help 363 families this Easter is fantastic. I am grateful to everyone who has made a donation – thank you so much. It will make a difference.
“What Rachel has done in donating £4,000 is beyond amazing. She is a special lady.”
Dumfries stores Iceland, Morrisons and Tesco Peel Centre have all pitched in.
Fifty of the recipients will be Ukrainian families living in hub hotels the region.
