A BIG-HEARTED Peebles pensioner has been praised for helping Edinburgh’s homeless.

Volunteer Nora Drummond (pictured), makes a 46-mile round trip to the capital every Wednesday and Thursday to help the less-fortunate.

The 66-year-old has also raised £1,034.72 for Project 96 – which is a homeless charity run by the St Catharine’s Convent.

Project director Sister Aelred wrote to the Peeblesshire News. She said: “Sisters of Mercy St Catharine’s Homeless Project, Edinburgh, would like to thank Nora Drummond and the people of Peebles for organising and supporting Nora’s fundraising event which raised £1034.72 for our Homeless Project. 

“We thank Nora for her generosity at all times especially for her volunteer cooking for the Homeless Project two days a week when she takes the bus from Peebles into Edinburgh.”

Nora said: “The project started 20 years ago in 1996 (hence the 96 in the title) and has since raised hundreds of thousands of pounds going towards helping the thousands of homeless throughout the years.

“Ever since hearing about it before I retired, it was definitely something that interested me, and was very keen to give up my time and get involved. 

“The fantastic thing about this charity is that every penny we raise is spent on helping the homeless, it doesn’t go towards general admin costs or things like that, it goes directly to where it is needed.

“It’s nice to be open with folk to let them know that every penny really does make a huge difference towards helping those less fortunate.”

As part of her volunteering, Nora gets involved with the food distribution which takes place every morning and evening, with whatever food is donated, meals are made with what is handed in.

“We’re very lucky to receive what we do in terms of food, we spend around £1,000 a month giving money to a charity called Foodshare which collects surplus food from supermarkets, brings it to the centre point in Edinburgh, who bring us whatever they have, with the selection of food varying with each delivery.”

Originally from the Republic of Ireland, Nora moved to Peeblesshire over 40 years ago, and has volunteered since retiring four years ago.

She added: “Along with 150 volunteers at the church, we do what we can to give back. 

“The likes of ex-school teachers also lend their time to help the homeless and get some of those back into work, or seek help, such as rehab.

“We also get a lot of students from Edinburgh university who come in on evenings to help out. Many of the volunteers, often retired, travel from various towns in Scotland just to give up their time and help.”

For more information, visit: www.mercycentre.org.uk.