He has been a champion fundraiser for charities that support military veterans, but now his focus is on raising even more for the Leanchoil project.
Albert Duffus, a former sergeant major in the Queen’s Own Highlanders, has been fund-raising since 2013 and has already raised £24,000 for Leanchoil through his annual golf competitions at Forres Golf Club.
Albert, 73, served for 28 years in the regiment. His father and four brothers also served, and at one point all six were in the same regiment. His home in Forres is adorned with mementos and pictures of his distinguished military background, as well as certificates and grateful acknowledgements of his fundraising achievements from veteran’s charities. Atop of all these is the British Empire Medal, awarded for fundraising for veteran’s charities and for services to boxing.
Speaking this week, Albert says the Leanchoil project will be vital for the area.
“I know many veterans who will be glad to see it up and running as a wellbeing and support centre,” he said.
“I was born there, and I think it’s an ideal place, with the grounds and space inside to really help veterans who are either alone and needing some companionship or help in some way. It’s a great place to just chill out and enjoy it, which is sometimes all someone needs.
“Obviously I’m all for veterans benefitting, but it will be a place for pensioners and anyone else to get them out of the house and mixing with others. Sitting alone in the house can be a killer, so I can see the bigger picture than veterans alone; everyone can benefit.”
Albert and his wife, Sheena, play golf four times a week at Forres Golf Club where he holds his charity matches. The course is next door to Leanchoil, and Albert believes that a favourable tie-up between the two is quite possible to provide access to the game of golf.
“It keeps you active and your head busy,” he said. “And there’s a social element too, so many would benefit from getting into the game.”
The impetus for fundraising came after his son, Mark, was killed in Afghanistan while working for an American security firm in 2013. Of the 90k raised so far since that first charity golf match, much of the money has been given to Erskine Veterans and Poppy Scotland. However, since the Leanchoil project came into being he has made the Leanchoil Trust one of the main beneficiaries of his endeavours.
Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Maj Gen Seymour Monro, who is also the President of the Leanchoil Trust, said Albert’s fundraising was inspirational.
“Albert was my Company Sergeant Major in Northern Ireland and Fort George.
“He has raised a tremendous amount for veterans’ charities, and we are very grateful he has decided the Leanchoil project is now his number one priority.
“Leanchoil will provide outstanding facilities and support for veterans and many other members of the local community. Albert is its biggest individual donor; what a star!”
There are 38 supported units planned for the Leanchoil project site, which will be available for a mix of ages that need some help to live independently. A pre-planning submission was made last week to Moray Council, in advance of a detailed planning application to be submitted later this year.
The trust has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Pilgrim’s Trust, the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Scottish Land Fund and others. It needs to raise a further 4.5million to complete the conversion work.
NHS Grampian Board has unanimously approved the asset transfer request submitted in December 2021 by Leanchoil Trust, the organisation set up to save Leanchoil and its grounds for the local community. The Trust was praised for the content and quality of work which had gone into the request.
The full community asset transfer process could take up to a year to finalise before the whole 10-acre site, including the woods at the rear, comes into the ownership of the local community. A purchase price of £340,000 has been agreed for Leanchoil, and the Trust has current funding applications ongoing to raise this sum, and additional costs. This will be followed by a major funding campaign to raise the £4 million plus which will be required to refurbish the health and wellbeing facility in the old main building.
Leanchoil trust has been working closely with leading veterans’ charity, Erskine, for some time to potentially create a veterans activity centre within the health and wellbeing building. This would be the first centre in the north of Scotland and would serve the large number of veterans in the Forres and wider area. In the short term, until the refurbishment work is completed, Leanchoil and Erskine have been investigating the potential use of the Nurses’ Home at the back of the main building as a temporary home for the activity centre.
It is planned that the Scottish Ambulance Service will remain on the site and eventually be relocated to the new health and wellbeing facility which is being planned for part of the original Leanchoil hospital.
Leanchoil are also talking with Health and Social Care Moray, and various third sector organisations.
The long-term vision is to create a busy health and wellbeing centre with café, meeting rooms and clinics. The café would be the hub of the health village which could include supported living accommodation with a range of facilities on site to assist both residents and the local community.
Leanchoil Chairman, Graham Hilditch said, “this is a huge step forward for the Trust and our mission of saving Leanchoil and bringing it in to the ownership of the local community. The trustees have worked hard over the last four years to reach this point. There is much still to do, but we are confident that we can create an innovative health and wellbeing village, which will serve the needs of the community”.
The notice of the asset transfer request for Leanchoil has been published by NHS Grampian – a step closer to bringing ownership back to the community. Have your say on the proposal – see below for information.
