About Us
When Mary’s Meals announced the closure of their charity shops early in 2023, Dunblane Development Trust were determined to find a way to save their local shop. The Dunblane branch first opened over 20 years ago when the charity was still known as Scottish International Aid. Throughout this time it has raised money for international development through selling high quality and affordable second-hand goods. The High Street shop, now renamed The Giving Tree, reopened to the public on 17th November 2023 as part of Dunblane Development Trust.
Dunblane Development Trust Chair Sandy Fleming said:
“Mary’s Meals charity shop has had a hugely positive impact upon our community for the last two decades. One of Dunblane Development Trust’s key aims is to support local economic development, so we are very pleased to be able to take over management of the shop.”
The shop will continue to have a focus on sustainability by encouraging reuse of household items. Profits will be used by Dunblane Development Trust to support local community projects as well as providing donations to international aid in recognition of the shop’s history.
Shop Manager Rhona McInnes and her team of almost 30 volunteers will be remaining with the new venture. Rhona said:
“We are delighted to be joining Dunblane Development Trust to save this vital community resource and we look forward to welcoming both previous and new supporters.”
Donation & charities
The Giving Tree is gratefully accepting donations of clothing, shoes, household items, toys and books from 9.30-4.30 Mon-Sat at 27 High Street, Dunblane. We are keen to attract new volunteers to the shop, so why not pop into the shop for more information or contact Rhona on
International Aid
This financial year we have decided to support The Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust. The Duncan hospital is located in Bihar in India on the border with Nepal. It is the only charitable medical facility in this region serving a population of eleven million in both India and Nepal and receives no help from the government.
Having heard from family friends about the desperate situation at the hospital, local doctor Gordon Mackay and his wife Jackie were so moved that they decided to commit to completing the unfinished Mother and Child Block before moving on to focus on other areas of need within the hospital. Following a visit to The Duncan for the opening of the new Mother and Child Block the Mackays joined forces with another local doctor Graham Watson and his wife Karen to form The Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust. The trust is helping to fund infrastructure, medical care, and education. Please visit https://www.tdhct.co.uk for more information on the amazing work being done there.
In the financial year 2024 to 2025 the shop has reached our goal in raising enough money to train two girls from the region around the hospital, to become nurses. This will not only transform their lives but also will help the local community.
The Giving Tree will continue to support The Duncan Hospital Charitable Trust in the year 2025/26. This year we will be raising money to help around 50 street children living in the area around the hospital. The children will be able to go to school and receive a basic education and whillst there will have a meal, often the only meal of the day.
Dunblane Development Trust
Dunblane Development Trust is a community charity which focuses on the themes of health and wellbeing, the environment, community facilities and activities, and local economic development. We have over 200 registered volunteers working on projects such as Dunblane in Bloom, the Environment Group, the Paths Group, the Mid-Week DIY Group, the E-Bike Group, Dementia Friendly Dunblane, the Town Centre Development Group and community events. We also own and manage the Braeport Centre, which supports over 25 local businesses and community groups. More info at: https://dunblanedevelopmenttrust.com/.
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The Giving Tree 