Car boot sale at Tesco in Tain proves 'win-win' for charities and locals facing cost of living crisis
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AN Easter Ross woman's brainwave to stage car boot sales close to the supermarket where she works is proving a win-win for local charities and people battling the cost of living crisis.
Ceri Cattanach works at the Tesco in Tain where she is also the store's community champion.
She said: "I had a thought back at the end of 2021 after all what we have been through with Covid and how times are hard on so many people. I put an idea to my store manager Jim Stevenson about having car boot sales every fortnight from the month of April to end September.
"I look at it as a win win situation as I charge the seller to pitch up £5 and they are getting rid of stuff they no longer need and they are making money. The buyers are getting a bargain, especially in the times we are living in, and the money I charge the sellers goes to local charities, so it’s a win-win.
After a slow start, the event has come into its own. She said: "Back on April 9 this year was our first ever one and we only had two cars. It was a cold wet day with showers of hail.
"Then the fortnight after that it was 10 cars.The most we have had is 21 cars which was back on July 30 so word is getting around."
She shares it on her Facebook page which is Ceri Cattanach Community Champion.
It’s £5 per car with no need to book. People can just turn up on the day – which runs from 10am to 2pm – and set up any time from 8.30am. So far £685 has been raised, benefitting Highland Hospice Tain, Alzheimer’s Scotland Tain and Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes
The next car boot sale in Tesco Tain car park is on September 10. The final one for the year is Saturday, September 24.
Ceri added: "I would like to say that without my car boot sellers this would not be possible and I am forever grateful to them all."
