Forres Mechanics give use of Mosset Park ground to NHS for Covid-19 vaccinations
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FORRES Mechanics have provided the National Health Service with use of their ground to carry out Covid-19 vaccinations.
Mosset Park, home of the Can-Cans, is initially set to be used by the NHS every Monday until May as part of the United Kingdom's largest ever vaccination programme.
Vaccinations will be given in the boardroom, the office, the tearoom and the medical room at the ground. Those aged between 75 and 79 will be vaccinated at the ground, with the first jabs to be given on Monday, February 1.
Forres Mechanics were the only club to pull out of the now-suspended Highland League campaign, in an attempt to safeguard players and the local community.
Club chairman Dave MacDonald said hosting vaccinations is another way in which the club is hoping to help.
He said: "Moving on from not playing in the Highland League for the health and wellbeing of players and the wider population, we thought we would offer our facilities to the NHS as our way of contributing to the community.
"We are absolutely delighted we can give this facility to the NHS and are chuffed they are going to use it.
"We wanted to give something back because we gain a lot from the support of the community on Saturdays, and in many other ways."
The original idea came from board member Ally Scrimgeour, while Mr MacDonald set the wheels in motion with a call to the NHS to offer the use of the ground.
NHS staff members viewed Mosset Park on Friday, January 16, and decided the facility could be used.
An NHS spokeswoman said: "We are delighted to be working with Forres Mechanics to utilise the space they have at Mosset Park as one of the vaccination centres for Moray.
"Working through the priority list for vaccination, set out by the Joint Commitee on Vaccination and Immunisation, we will shortly be welcoming people in the 75-79 age bracket for their first injection. The centre at Mosset Park will operate every Monday.
"In common with all our vaccination centres, it will operate on an appointment only basis. There will be no 'drop-in' facility and people should only attend when they have their appointment confirmed.
"People should not contact the venue with queries about appointments, as they will not be able to assist."
Those attending Mosset Park for their jabs will have access to plentiful parking within the ground's limits, with tunnel the players walk out of onto the park being used as the entrance.
A one-way system will be in place within the ground.
