Penicuik cleaner launches community fund to help people in desperate need of a 'fresh start'
A cleaner and business owner from Penicuik has launched a new community fund to help vulnerable people across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Katie McLeish, 25, owns The Wee Cleaning Company which offers deep cleaning and tidying services across the region.
But after completing a mammoth clean-up and gutting job in late 2025, Katie became inspired to launch The Wee Fresh Start Fund to help others.
The aim of the fund is to raise money to allow Katie and her team to help those most in need of a fresh start in their home, whether that be because of personal circumstances, physical or mental health issues, or financial difficulty.
Katie, who launched her cleaning business in 2022, said: “We did a big job at the end of last year that was the biggest we have ever done.
“I was so naive to the fact that people do actually live in these situations. It made me realise a lot of people might need help.”
Katie explained that the previous job which inspired The Wee Fresh Start Fund made her realise how important a clean home was for some people to begin building their lives again in times of hardship.
She added: “They might not have family or friends who can help them or they don’t have the funds, so we're able to step in and just give them that fresh start.
“They maybe don’t understand that other people live like this too and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. They just need a helping hand and someone to come and tell them it’s okay.”
Katie has launched The Wee Fresh Start Fund on GoFundMe, where people can donate money to go towards supplies and equipment, as well as the time it takes to transform the home of someone in need.
The business owner and her team are currently helping a single mother-of-three who recently exited an abusive relationship.
The woman juggles childcare with work, as well as physical and mental health issues that has meant keeping up on top of housework has been almost impossible for her.
But Katie and her team have been working bit-by-bit to help support her along the way.
Katie explained: “This is my passion but it’s emotionally tough. It’s really tough because you’re seeing what these people are going through but on the job, you’re also sifting through someone’s whole life and putting into bins.”
Anyone can nominate someone they know for The Wee Fresh Start Fund or get in touch themselves via The Wee Cleaning Company’s social media account.
Katie explained that the free Fresh Start service will only be available to those in need, with her and the team, who are all PVG registered, working closely with the client to assess whether they fit the criteria so that people in difficult positions are being prioritised.
Katie said: “It’s an amazing feeling to know that you’re making a difference in someone’s life.”