Highland charity Kats Second Editions ‘doesn’t say no’ to any families in-need
A Highland grassroots charity founder who “doesn’t say no to anyone” says she is “over the moon” to now be officially registered.
Katrena ‘Kat’ Macleod is the founder of Tain-based charity, Kats Second Editions. The confidential charity collects donations of children’s clothes, shoes, jackets and even toiletries, and re-distributes them to families in need.
After three and a half years of hard work helping clothe over 2300 children and gaining over 1000 Facebook followers, Kats Second Editions has finally been recognised as a registered charity.
“I’m absolutely over the moon.” said Kat. “Never in a million years did I think it would be so popular.
“Being a charity means we will now have access to lots more funding, and can carry out lots of new projects which will be fantastic.
“We are so lucky with all the donations we receive, people are just so kind. My house is constantly chocka with them all… people would be surprised by how many there are!”
After receiving donations, Kat will re-distribute them to someone she knows is in need of them, or she will list them on the Kats Second Editions Facebook page where followers can comment or message if they would like an item.
Kat continued: “People can private message me, so the only person who knows which family its going to is me and our delivery driver — it’s confidential. A lot of people are embarrassed about it. I’ve met so many lovely families through Kats Second Editions.
“When folk are finished with the donations we give them, they often hand them back over to Kats Second Editions and we can re-distribute them to other families in need.”
As well as giving donations directly to families, Kats Second Editions have also become a regular contact for Women’s Aid, social services, the local schools and medical practices, to give them items they are in need of.
In December 2023, Tain’s Asda collected toiletries on behalf of the charity and combined with the donations given directly to Kats Second Editions, a total of 145 bags of toiletries were given to local teenagers at school in need.
“School have gotten in touch with us when they know someone who is in need of items. Even Women’s Aid contact us and we give them bags — we just don’t say no.
“We are based in Tain, but we cover as far south as Inverness, and as north as Dornoch and Brora. But Women’s Aid have taken donations from us across to Kyle of Lochalsh before, and social services have taken some up to Wick and Thurso too.
“We are here, there and everywhere!”
