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Press and Journal
7 days ago
- General
- Press and Journal
Lindsay Bruce: Sheila McDonald's tragic death shines spotlight on reality of Torry Raac scandal
The reality and the why behind our Trapped by Raac campaign has hit home in recent weeks. We recently lost one of our campaign stalwarts. Sheila McDonald, previously featured alongside husband George in our coverage, suffered a heart attack and died in the home she's been fighting to save. The couple had just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary and are among throngs of defiant homeowners standing their ground to get fair prices for their Raac-riddled homes. The retired pair have never missed a protest. They've attended every community meeting. Both George and Sheila's faces are even on our Trapped by Raac poster. They epitomise why we launched the campaign in the first place; Because every day, honest, hard-working people aren't able to enjoy their lives – or their retirements – while the injustice of Raac is quite literally hanging over their heads. So I felt it impossible to let her loss pass, without paying tribute to her, and to acknowledge the Sheila-shaped hole in her community. I dropped my phone when the text arrived from George to let me know Sheila had passed. Just days before, we carried a report from Torry doctor Adrian Crofton about the long-term impact stress is having on the hearts and minds of the good people of Balnagask. Less than a week earlier I saw Sheila at the White Cockade where I joked with her that she was 'Torry famous' when she held up a poster bearing her own image. And it wasn't even a fortnight since I'd sat in George and Sheila's living room listening to them speak about how they felt their fate had been decided by seemingly uncaring councillors, scrolling on their phones. Sheila told me that day that her blood pressure was 'through the roof'. No wonder, I thought. As news spread in Torry about Sheila's death at the start of May, I kept hearing the same remarks. 'She was so faithful to the Torry Community Raac Campaign.' The reality of that filled me with such sadness. The last 18 months of Sheila's life have been encased in Raac. 'I wish I'd never retired,' she told me, because she felt her beautiful home was no longer a place of peace. When we ask for signatures and support – this is why. The lived reality for the 500+ households in Balnagask who had the Raac crisis thrust upon them, is so far from peaceful. For many it's at times more of a living agony. Through no fault of their own. These are grandparents, aunts and uncles. They're mums and dads. They're someone's grown-up children, first-time buyers, newlyweds… They are grandchildren, widows, people with disabilities, single people, married, young, old, working and retired. All on the brink of losing it all. And so this week I want to make a call directly to those in decision-making positions. I've researched this issue. I know the history. I've witnessed the political to-ing and fro-ing, and I'm aware of the costs involved. I realise housing is devolved. And that the Raac homes were built before this current ACC administration. Honestly, if it's been written about Raac, I've probably read it. So I ask you, knowing all that, We NEED a collegiate response to this crisis. We NEED elected leaders to be both fair and compassionate. And we NEED those whose job it is to serve the people, to put those people first. As we gathered to celebrate the life of Sheila, It was clear her legacy will be as a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife and a friend. She'll also be remembered, and will be much-missed as a tireless campaigner for those Trapped by Raac. I wonder if the legacies of Aberdeen City Council, and our national and UK governments will be similar? It's not too late to collegiately, creatively and compassionately do the right thing. People before politics, please. You can read the family announcement here.
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Heartache of Torry newlyweds Trapped by Raac: 'Having kids is now off the table'
A Torry couple Trapped by Raac, who wed just weeks before Balnagask demolition news, have spoken of 'overwhelming' pressure due to juggling financial worries and a family health crisis. They've shared… Fiona and Ricky Burgess married on June 8 2024, at Banchory Lodge, Deeside. 'It was an amazing, perfect day, but the honeymoon stage was short-lived,' said travel consultant Fiona, 38. Just weeks later, the newlyweds were dealt the 'gutting' blow that Ricky's Torry home was earmarked for demolition following the discovery of Raac in the roofs of the Balnagask 'hen houses'. For IT solutions architect Ricky, it meant more than just the possibility of moving house. 'My cousin lives two doors from us. We have – or rather we had – family all around us. 'Then the Raac news dropped and if they haven't been evacuated and moved somewhere else in Aberdeen, they're in the same position we are, fighting to get a fair value on their homes. 'More than the money, it's like my family is being ripped apart too.' Ricky, 37, bought his three-bedroom house on Pentland Road 14 years ago from a family who had purchased it through the Right-to-Buy scheme. Prior to their marriage, Fiona owned and lived in a two-bed flat in Kincorth. On the run up to their big day, both houses went on the market, so they could sell and start looking for their one 'forever' home together. In Spring 2024, however, the community received confirmation that their homes were built with Raac. 'We had to stop viewings as soon as the news broke about Raac. My house sold so I'm probably one of the only people who moved IN to a Raac-affected home,' said Fiona. It was no less devastating for Ricky. 'We were just married when they said they were getting demolished. Since then, we've asked for a valuation and, basically, we'll be in negative equity by a mile if we sell, and stuck paying a mortgage on a house we no longer have. 'What a start to married life.' At a recent meeting of Torry Raac homeowners in the White Cockade pub, Fiona and Ricky were audibly and visibly upset. Having engaged with Aberdeen City Council's buy-back scheme, they agreed to the Valuation Office Agency assessor visiting their home. 'We just don't believe anything the council says about considering other options or even that they are listening to us. We've had nothing but a letter. 'No one has asked us about our needs. The 'for sale' signs are still up on our house. If they [Aberdeen City Council] want it they can have it. But not for a pittance. They can't leave us in negative equity,' Fiona explained, 'which is what will happen if we accept their paltry offer.' Ricky paid £115k for their home. When it went on the market, it was advertised at £110,000 to attract offers above that. They've been offered £73,000 by ACC. 'I have most of my mortgage to pay so you can understand why we're upset,' Ricky added. 'The pressure is ridiculous.' So great, in fact, that the couple have 'taken off the table' their plans to start a family. An emotional Fiona explained. 'Age isn't on my side. So the plan was always to get married, get settled, and then talk about and plan for our family right away. 'I'd love to have kids but how could we bring them into this? We could be shackled with more debt than we can handle and we don't know where we'll be or even who will be around us. 'Everything is being stolen from us. Sadly, the clock is ticking on multiple fronts for our family.' Fiona's 87-year-old grandfather is also a Raac homeowner. They worry he won't see justice served. And her mum has recently been dealt a life-shattering MND diagnosis. 'At a time when I'm supposed to be there for mum and dad, they're the ones worrying about us. It's not right.' Through tears Fiona added, 'She should be my priority, not this. My mum is non-vocal now and is really struggling. My dad is broken by it all. I'm trying to be there for them, and doing all I can, but it's all so overwhelming. 'All we wanted was to get married, settle down and enjoy family life with my parents, and Ricky's wider family too. That's not a lot to ask. 'It breaks my heart to know we are the reason so many family members are worried and concerned.' For Ricky, who was raised in Torry, there's understandable anger. 'The council and the government can always find money for what they want to find money for. It's just another blow to Torry. 'They built these houses, and they sold them. I think what gets me is that they don't seem to care that our lives will never be the same if we leave this process with 10s of thousands of pounds of debt. 'We don't care if it was a previous council, or an old government. We are here NOW, and we need help. The homeowners can't do this without support.' Aberdeen family's 'frustrating' Raac limbo: 'We accepted an offer last year and heard nothing since' Torry Raac: 'They decided our fate while scrolling on their phones' Exclusive: We put Aberdeen City Council co-leader in the hot seat over Raac
