Ackergill Tower owner's £40,000 gift to Pulteneytown People’s Project
The American owner of Ackergill Tower has been praised for her commitment to the Caithness community after sending a £40,000 donation to Pulteneytown People’s Project (PPP).
Dr Betsee Parker, an Episcopalian minister and philanthropist from Virginia, said she was keen to help the Wick-based charity because of its support for those in need.
She has also donated £10,000 to the Episcopal Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness towards its Covid-19 response.
Dr Parker, who served as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 2013-2018, bought Ackergill Tower in early 2019 after the 15th-century castle closed as a luxury hotel.
She has received several historic preservation awards and says she plans to preserve Ackergill Tower "at its best".
PPP, based at the Pulteney Centre in Wick, has more than 50 staff who provide a range of services for the community, some of which have had to be halted because of the pandemic.
Dr Parker said: "I chose to give the gift to PPP because I feel that it reaches out into the areas of the community that are the most in need. I very much see the area as my neighbourhood too and want to do all that I can to help."
Katrina MacNab, PPP's chief executive officer, who is standing down from the post later this month, said she was "absolutely delighted" with the money.
"Initially we were approached by Dr Parker’s solicitor to ask if we would accept the donation," Mrs MacNab said. "However, what was really impressive was that Dr Parker took the time to phone from Virginia, where she lives, and chatted for nearly an hour.
"She is very genuine with a real empathy for people, and is involved with a lot of community-based organisations. She knew and understood the impact Covid is having on all walks of life.
"She has a real enthusiasm for climate change and is using her wealth, her connections and her own time to actively change our planet and people's circumstances.
"She was really down-to-earth and is looking forward to getting over to Ackergill Tower when she is allowed and to visiting PPP to see the work being done here."
Mrs MacNab said PPP had yet to decide how to spend the money, but one option might be to use it as match funding for a proposed Caithness-based holistic carers service.
"We completed a consultation with carers before Christmas, and it has been really challenging for carers this past year," she explained. "I felt quite tearful reading some of the responses."
She added: "It is an exciting opportunity, and the funding is very much welcomed – as is the ongoing relationship we hope to build with Dr Parker, who is very keen to make a difference in the community."
Dr Parker, who has the title Baroness of Locheil, works extensively with the UN in Africa as well as with the Vatican on green policy issues, focusing in particular on sustainable development, poverty, hunger, education, climate action, equality and justice.
She was nominated to become a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Africa in 2019 and holds two honorary doctorates in the US. She received the Harvard University Alumni Achievement Award 2016 and other honours include 2014 Loudoun Preservationist of the Year for her contribution to historic preservation in Loudoun County, Virginia.
It was announced in January 2019 that Ackergill Tower was to close as a luxury hotel and become a private residence. Its previous owner, Clarenco, confirmed the move following speculation about its future.
