An Angus man who volunteers tirelessly for his local community has been chosen to take part in a walk across Scotland to highlight the work of the The Big Lunch project which tackles social isolation.
Derek Harper from Brechin is among the 2019 Scotland team who will lead a 17-day community walk later this month.
He is one of eight walkers that make up the four teams stepping out across the UK to shine a light on people who bring their community closer together.
Their journey begins in Edinburgh on May 17 and ends in Brechin, taking in Orkney, Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee.
On May 31 Derek will visit community projects in his home town that have been important to him before hosting a Big Lunch on June 1
The walkers will visit communities, meeting and chatting with people to celebrate the positive impact of collaborative projects and neighbourhood activities, and inviting everyone to share food and make friends.
Derek, 55, has worked as a greenkeeper, an architectural technician and a publican. None of these, he says, compared to his time as a volunteer.
“It wasn’t until I pulled on a volunteer high viz vest for my own community I truly felt the giving back buzz, I was hooked and I knew I was doing something meaningful.”
He has been a leading light with the Brechin Retailers and Voluntary Organisations (BRAVO) and the Harley Davidson in the City event.
He then became chairman of the town’s community council and became involved with the executive group, designing, planning and delivering community events.
He first heard of Eden Project Communities and The Big Lunch during a workshop event in Perth in 2014 before attending a residential community camp at the Eden project in Cornwall.
He continued: “The Harley event and the Eden Community Camp changed my life and gave me a focus and purpose.
“I felt part of something bigger and found where I belonged and I share my learning and experience any chance I get.”
For Derek, The Big Lunch community walk is the perfect opportunity to advocate for something close to his heart.
“I want to do what I can to share as widely as possible The Big Lunch idea and encourage other communities to hold one, how food can be that catalyst to connect so much in a place, community and spark so much positive change.”
“I’ve not represented Scotland at anything, to do so now and for communities across the country at a time of a crisis of disconnection, to be part of The Big Lunch community walk, to play my part in reconnecting people with each other, their place and to nature would be an absolute honour.”
