A POP-UP cafe at marches for Scottish independence has helped to raise hundreds of pounds for food banks across the country.
The Indy2Cafe was initially set up online via Facebook during the pandemic to bring members of the grassroots movement together.
Since then however, the group has set up stalls at various independence marches to help raise money for food banks.
Anne Aubeeluck, from Lesmahagow, is among the volunteers with the cafe. She told The National: “When everything was closed, we decided to start an online cafe so we could all still meet and talk and discuss everything.
“We had lots of people all through the pandemic that would come on the Zoom and we’d have a blether.
“We run an afternoon cafe at 2pm and one every night and this went on all through the pandemic.”
She added that they also have an Indy2Cafe “pub” on a Saturday evening where everybody was encouraged to turn up with a drink.
“We just chatted about how to put the world to right when it comes to independence”.
Once things started to re-open, Aubeeluck explained that the group came together to buy a few gazebos to help them get set up at independence marches.
“We don’t ask for money. People just give a wee donation for their tea, coffee roll and cakes. We funded it all ourselves.”
From there, the project has gone from strength to strength as it aims to attend every march, regardless of who has organised it.
Aubeeluck added: “We’re becoming a hub at marches. We go to every single one, set up early and put out our stall and get homemade cakes and everything.
“We can make up to £1000 if it’s busy and then we decide who it goes to.”
Generally, the money goes to a food bank located in the area where the march takes place and donations have been made to food banks in Dingwall, Oban, Moray, Glasgow, Midlothian and Dunfermline.
Aubeeluck explained that they currently have £250 waiting to be donated to a charity in Ayr following the march there at the end of July (below).
“All we keep is the money we need to buy the stuff for the next march. Now we’ve got people who come up to us because they know that’s where the money goes.
"I want to thank all our helpers - Nancy, Lorna, Agnes, Ismael, Michael, Avril, June, Sarah, Charles, Linda and Dorrie - for all the work they do.
“We know we’re able to help and we’re not in it for ourselves. But really we started it to help get the grassroots together and talk all through the pandemic because we ultimately all want independence for Scotland.
The Indy2Cafe Facebook page can be found HERE.
