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A RETIRED Dumbarton man has been raising money through selling fishing gear in a lottery bonus ball to provide PPE equipment to care homes across West Dunbartonshire.

Fishing fanatic Derek Hughes, 57 has been selling colourful fishing flies that he made in an online lottery bonus ball.

The money raised from the weekly Wednesday and Saturday night lottery bonus balls on his Facebook page were spent on gloves, visors, aprons and other vital equipment that NHS and key workers need to provide the urgent care for people affected by Covid-19.

He has raised over £1,900 so far, but he does not plan to stop there. He aims to continue with his best efforts for the care homes in West Dunbartonshire by raising funds for the vital PPE supplies they need to cover the rest of the lockdown.

Over the past few weeks, Derek has so far donated equipment to Crosslet House Care Home in Dumbarton, Bridge Court Housing Support in Alexandria and Sunningdale Care Home in Balloch.

His daughter Lorna, who works in administration at the Vale of Leven Hospital, is super proud of what her dad has done for the community.

She said: "With everything that is going on right now he just felt like his had to give something to the community. He is just going to carry on helping others who need it most.”

Derek’s neighbour is a WDC housing support carer and he has been giving equipment to her to share with her colleagues and other staff members.

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Lorna added: ”He just wants to help in anyway he can because he is in really into fishing he got a lot a support from the people in that community.”

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The team at Crosslet has been overwhelmed by the kind donations and support received from generous members of our community, which have included biscuits, chocolates and gift bags for our staff.

"In addition, we’ve received donations in kind from local musicians who have entertained residents in their homes by playing in our garden, including a piper, who celebrated a resident’s 101st birthday by playing outside her window. We are extremely grateful for these thoughtful gestures.”

The prizes haven’t always been just fishing flies and equipment. Dalmarnock Fishing has donated a day of fishing for two people on the River Tay with two rods for later on this year once lockdown has been lifted.

Other generous donations include bottles of whisky and Hardy Marksman bags.