Douglas’ constituency covers Crossgates, Hill of Beath and Moss-side

Amazing support for foodbank

GENEROUS shoppers filled trollies to help feed families across Central and West Fife at the weekend.

It was part of the annual neighbourhood food collection hosted by Tesco, in partnership with the Trussell Trust and Fareshare.

Over 10,000 people received help from four Fife foodbanks last year. I popped into the Dunfermline superstore to meet volunteers and give a helping hand (you can view the video on my Facebook page 'Douglas Chapman MP'). In Central Fife there are a number of institutions where struggling families and the homeless can access food. The Benarty foodbank is located in BRAG Enterprises at Crosshill Business Centre, Main Street, Crosshill. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4-6pm.The Cowdenbeath foodbank is at Fountain Meeting Rooms, Broad Street and is open Tuesdays and Fridays, 4-6pm. Please remember that the food bank works using a voucher referral system. You need a voucher issued by local agencies. Find out more by contacting Fife Council's Welfare Fund team on 0300 555 0265.

Fitting tribute to a local hero

There were emotional tributes to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme last week. It led to me reflecting on a ceremony that I attended a few weeks ago. It was a commemoration of John Erskine, who was killed in action in Arras, France, in 1917. Under intense fire the Fife soldier rescued two wounded soldiers - a brave feat that earned him the Victoria Cross. The ceremony was held at the Garden for Heroes, which sits in the shadow of Dunfermline Abbey. There, I chatted with representative from SSAFA, the armed forces charity. I enjoyed hearing about the power of work they do across West and Central Fife, attending to the needs of current and former servicemen and women and their relatives. They and their families deserve all the help they may need. To contact them call 01592 263714 or email fife@ssafa.org.uk. Find out more, visit www.ssafa.org.uk

Wonderful Willie

Willie Clarke is a very well kent face in Central Fife. As a councillor for four decades he put in an incredible amount of work for residents who needed help. It is fitting that he is to be given the freedom of Fife - only the third person to have been given that honour. Councillors play a crucial role in the community - often doing their work quietly behind the scenes to assist people with a huge range of issues that affect them. To do it for four decades is very impressive indeed. I know councillors across the political spectrum in Fife have huge respect for a man whose adult life has been dedicated to serving his community. He will be missed as a councillor across the Benarty area and I wish him the very best for the future.