Falkirk's 'Candied Man' thanks customers for helping raise £35,000 for charity

When Amrit Dhillon lost his dad – well known businessman Harry Dhillon died at Strathcarron Hospice in 2015 – he began to make it his mission in life to coin in cash for charity, and as his business has grown, so too has the money he has donated to Strathcarron and other vital charities.

Mr Dhillon said: “We have raised £35,000 in just three years with the primary beneficiary being Strathcarron but also other worthwhile causes such as Ashlee's Neuroblastoma.

“A £5000 donation to Strathcarron last month to mark the fifth anniversary of my father's passing took us over that £35,000 mark.”

While he is proud of this fundraising achievement, maybe even more than the success of his business, Mr Dhillon wanted to make it clear who the real driving force behind the tremendous total was – his customers.

“This is not the Amrit show – that’s not what this is about. Candied may be the platform for giving and I write the cheques, but it’s my customers who put the ink in my pen.

“I want to try to inspire people and businesses to realise, even in the face of incredible adversity, suffering and struggle, the human condition and resolve can shine through in the form of giving.

“At the moment we are journeying through one of the most challenging fiscal and personal times we are likely to face in our lifetime. People have lost loved ones, job security, homes and their self-esteem.

“They have been faced with tough decisions, had to battle anxiety, worry, stress, fear and uncertainty.

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"And in spite of all this, our great Falkirk community can still band together and recognise there are those even worse off than us and have found it in their hearts to contribute towards the well being of those less fortunate than themselves.

“There is no doubt we will defeat this ghastly virus. But to be able look back once we have reached the other side and proudly say we continued to unite, be kind and take joy in giving, will be the greatest achievement of all.”

Mr Dhillon does not need any excuses to raise funds for Strathcarron, but he was able to kill two birds with one stone back in 2018 when the Beast from the East hit the area and snowstorms caused chaos.

The Candied owner borrowed his mum’s jeep and ventured up to his supplier Pollock and Sons at Bonnyhill Farm, Bonnybridge during the worst of the weather to get milk to make ice cream for his Central Avenue shop and bring back some extra pints for shoppers.

At the time he said: “We didn’t want to seem like we were cashing in on the weather so we offered the milk for free, but asked people to make a voluntary donation of £1 to Strathcarron Hospice.”

After his snow-defying heroics Mr Dhillon not only helped residents obtain their milk – some 220 litres – he also, thanks to generous donations from customers, coined in over £190 for Strathcarron.

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