For the past few years, Zertex Media Ltd has been working behind the scenes with local organisations to offer ad-hoc grants for individuals and groups facing financial hardship.
Given the current economic situation, and the steep rise in people facing such difficulties, we have decided to set up a more permanent and official hardship fund, dedicated to the late Agnes ‘Nessie’ Hutchison, who passed away on 10th April, 2014.
The mother and mother-in-law of Zertex Media’s directors, Barry and Fiona Hutchison, Nessie always went out of her way to help those in need, and in her later years worked tirelessly for charitable causes.
Taking inspiration from this, ‘Nessie’s Helping Hand’ is working closely with a range of frontline organisations across Lochaber, from health visitors to schools, to create a monthly-renewing crisis fund for those struggling to make ends meet.
Whether it be to buy food, clothing, replace a broken washing machine, or to deal with any of the thousand-and-one other financial emergencies that can crop up, organisations will be able to apply for and receive funding on behalf of their clients. The application process will be completely confidential, and nobody at Zertex Media Ltd will know who the beneficiaries of the grants are. That is, quite frankly, none of our business.
We, the directors of Zertex Media Ltd, both grew up in households where money was not always easy to come by. As we started our own family together, we faced many financial difficulties that would have been impossible to overcome without a helping hand from those around us. We know first-hand the stresses that such difficulties can bring, and how easily then can befall any one of us.
We have been fortunate in recent years to have built a profitable publishing business, thanks in part to the way in which the local community has supported the Highland-set crime fiction novels we produce. We feel it would be remiss of us, in a time of crisis for so many, not to do what we can to repay this support.
The fund will launch in May 2021, with a dedicated website through which organisations can apply for non-repayable emergency grants on behalf of their clients. For more details, get in touch via our contact page.
Barry & Fiona Hutchison
Directors, Zertex Media Ltd
What a wonderful way to honor your mom. She’s smiling a big beautiful smile for you!
That’s so lovely, she will be looking down on you feeling so proud xx
Lovely way to honour your mom…. I’m sure she’s so proud of everything you’ve achieved and smiling down on you from heaven…💕💕
Such a lovely gesture and will make such a difference to those in need
Well done to both you and your wife for paying it forward and what better way to have your mother’s giving and caring legacy live on through your charitable fund. I wish you lots of luck with it.