THE founding member of a local volunteer group has donated his entire retirement collection to an agricultural charity.

After 40 years of service in Scottish Government agricultural roles, Gregor Caldwell has stepped down and chosen to donate the retirement collection to RSABI, the charity which supports people in Scottish agriculture.

Gregor, who is long-time supporter of RSABI and founding chair of the Ayrshire Volunteer Committee, recently presented the cheque for £750 to RSABI’s finance manager Harry Seran. Harry extended heartfelt thanks to Gregor on behalf of RSABI, and also thanked his Scottish Government colleagues for their donations to the collection.

The Ayrshire committee has raised around £120,000 in the past 12 years and Gregor recently collected an award on their behalf at a Jubilee event on board HMS Albion, attended by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.

He said: “I have been hugely fortunate to have had a 40-year career doing a job I always enjoyed in an industry which is dear to my heart.

“I am humbled and very grateful to my colleagues in the Scottish Government for contributing such a significant amount for RSABI.

“It has been a privilege to work in Scottish agriculture for four decades and the Department of Agriculture will always be a bit special to me. The staff are highly professional and work hard for Scottish farmers and crofters in all sorts of ways.

“They have supported me many times over the years with fundraising for RSABI. I would like to thank them all very sincerely for their generosity.”