A BIG-HEARTED Musselburgh businessman has delivered more than 1,000 selection boxes and 300 boxes of chocolates to good causes this Christmas, after a chance meeting with a stranger “pulled at [his] heartstrings”.

Alex Brown was supported by his generous staff, who used their Christmas night out kitty to ensure even more sweet treats were distributed to groups and churches in East Lothian and Edinburgh as a Covid-19 lockdown looms on Boxing Day.

Mr Brown said: “I was leaving a supermarket recently and a young man asked if I had any change to help with his bus fare to get home.

“He looked frozen, hungry and down on his luck, so I asked him if the money was really to get home and he replied: ‘Yes, I want to see my wife and children’.

“I decided not to ask this desperate-looking guy any more questions and gave him just over £25. He started crying while thanking me and I got in my car and started to cry myself.

“This meeting pulled at my heartstrings and, while I knew things had been very difficult, it dawned on me that it must be a lot worse for so many more.

“I decided there and then that if I could get a very small festive treat to a large amount of children and families, or elderly people, this would be a worthy way to finish off the year.

“I have done a few charity challenges and given to good causes throughout this year more than any other but something about the way the man thanked me got me to decide that a little treat to as many as I can would be the best way to reach people who genuinely need even the smallest token of help.”

Mr Brown, who owns Musselburgh High Street’s Ideal Flooring Solutions, added: “I originally planned to give out 600 selection boxes but, with the great response I got on social media, these went very quickly, with many more requests coming in.

“We normally have a staff Christmas night out and my team together decided to donate their Christmas night out kitty so we could reach 1,000 selection boxes and gifts of chocolates.

“B&M Stores in Musselburgh and Prestonpans supplied all selection boxes and chocolates.

“They gave us a 10 per cent discount and I thank them for that.”

Recipients of the selection boxes and chocolates included: East Lothian Sunday Fresh Chicken Dinner Boxes; the Venchie in Niddrie; Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre in Edinburgh; Richmond Craigmillar Church; St Teresa of Lisieux Church in Craigmillar; and Newcraighall Action Group.

Also receiving donations were: Johnnie’s Journey, which has held a fundraising drive for East Lothian Foodbank; Co-op Funeralcare Tranent, which is supporting Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS); East Lothian Co-operative Bowling Club, which delivers meals to people in the community; Elphinstone-based East Lothian Roots & Fruits; and Volunteer Centre East Lothian in Tranent.

Mr Brown, who is also an author and ex-boxer, said: “I have always been very charitable and have been very inspired by my friend Davie Martin from Radio Saltire’s charitable efforts.”

Mr Brown has previously received recognition in the House of Commons through a motion lodged by local MP Kenny MacAskill for his lifetime of charity fundraising.

This year he shaved his head to raise funds for NHS workers during lockdown.

He also took part in Sober October to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Brown has been running a free carpet and vinyl initiative for local recipients, totalling more than 20 rooms, all recommended through Radio Saltire.

One person who was delighted to be chosen was personal trainer Mekala Osborne, who enjoyed a hero’s welcome last Monday after being allowed to return to her Wallyford home following 15 months of recovery from a serious illness which nearly took her life.

The 23-year-old set off to travel round South East Asia in September last year – but soon became ill and was diagnosed with necrotising pneumonia, at one time being given only a five per cent chance of survival.

Mr Brown said he was “overwhelmed” to receive a thank you plaque from Mekala and her family, as well as a video message from Mekala herself.