In what was its first outing since the pandemic, Mowi Scotland’s ‘Salmon Wagon’ food truck has rounded off a summer long tour of Scottish communities, attending nine events – from Glengarry to Lochgilphead, Mallaig to North Uist – to raise vital funds for local charities.
Speaking about the successful summer of fundraising, which saw local charities receive a total of £7,318 from the wagon, Jayne MacKay, Community Engagement Officer at Mowi Scotland said:
“We built the Salmon Wagon in 2019 to engage with our local communities and raise funds for the causes closest to their hearts.
“Since then, we have attended numerous events around Scotland and been lucky enough to support a range of charities and causes vital to communities.
“It is humbling to see the work being done at local level around the country and we are delighted to be able to help and support those in need through donations to – this year – food banks, mental health, children’s charities and other great causes.”
Amongst the events attended by the Salmon Wagon was the 2022 Camanachd Cup Final in Kingussie.
Mowi is a long term supporter of youth and adult shinty in Scotland and proceeds from the truck on the day were donated to Mikeysline.
The Inverness-based charity provides text-based and face-to-face support for people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health.
Passionate about suicide prevention, Mikeysline raise awareness for this and wider mental health issues, while breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.
Emily Stokes, Chief Executive Officer of Mikeysline, said:
“We at Mikeysline are so very grateful for the support given by Mowi’s Salmon Wagon at the Camanachd Cup Final in Kingussie.
“Not only did we benefit greatly from the funds raised, which will help us in developing our mental health support and suicide prevention services further in rural areas of the Highlands, but from the profile and awareness raising through the event given the numbers attending and the profile of the event itself.
“It was a fantastic day and an amazing fundraiser for us.”
Derek Keir of the Camanachd Association, who nominated Mikeysline as the beneficiary of funds raised by the Salmon Wagon, commented:
“The Camanachd Association takes great pride in our role as Scotland’s community sport and the Mowi Salmon Wagon – and its aims – fits right into our ethos.
“By helping organisations like Mikeysline we are able to support people who need someone to talk to, helping shinty deliver a holistic response to one of the most important issues facing the Highlands.
“Many of the areas that shinty operates in can suffer from social isolation and that’s why Mikeysline are one of five mental health support groups that we work with on a regular basis to ensure that our members can access the support they need.
“Separate from the Salmon Wagon, through their longstanding sponsorship of the Association, Mowi enables shinty to take place in communities across Scotland, offering participants the opportunity to reap the physical and mental health benefits.”
Fully stocked
The global sustainable aquaculture leader’s fully stocked food truck set out in May 2022 to help nine fantastic causes by serving up salmon fillet burgers and noodle salads, with 100% of proceeds from the sale of food at the events benefitting their chosen charities.
A team of four, assisted by community volunteers, manned the truck, which covered 4,230 miles and raised £7,318 for important, local causes.
Community Support
Mowi Scotland believes in helping to build strong communities where their staff live and work and support a variety of community organisations including service groups, sports teams, social programmes, schools, and salmon conservation efforts.
Their corporate giving policy reflects the company’s values of Passion, Change, Trust and Share and they welcome requests for donations that direct their community investment to conservation initiatives, activities for children and youth, sports and wellness, and poverty relief in the communities where Mowi Scotland operates.
Have the salmon wagon at your event
Applications will open in January 2023 for those looking to have the Salmon Wagon attend their event next summer.
For more information and to sign up for the newsletter please visit mowisalmonwagon.co.uk
| For info: events attended by Mowi Salmon Wagon in 2022 | ||||
| Date | Location | Event | Supporting | Amount raised |
| 2 May | Duror | Kentallen & Duror Community Centre Lagnaha Stage Scottish 6 Day Trials | The Kentallen & Duror Community Centre | £505 |
| 7 May | Arisaig | Road to the Isles Marathon and Festival of Running | Mallaig Pool and Leisure | £608 |
| 28 May | Rosyth | Rosyth Gala | EATS Rosyth (food charity) | £570 |
| 8 June | Lochgilphead High School | Aquaculture Careers Event | Moving on Mid Argyll (food charity) | £1920 |
| 2 July | Invergarry | Glengarry Highland Games | Invergarry Primary School | £740 |
| 21 July | Hosta, North Uist | North Uist Agricultural Show | Hosta Hall Roof Fund | £900 |
| 23 July | Laxay, Isle of Lewis | Lochs Agricultural Show | Lochs Agricultural Society | £755 |
| 13 Aug | Strontian | Sunart Show | Sunart & District Agricultural Society | £523 |
| 17 Sept | Kingussie | Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final | Mikeysline (mental health charity) | £725 |
