Members of the Tiree Workshop were given an interesting insight into the work of an Argyll-based charity by the co-founder when he visited the island recently.

Mr John Challis told the workshop group, which meets in the business centre each Friday, how eight containers of medical equipment, agricultural and other humanitarian aid are shipped to Malawi each year.

Accompanied by his wife Sue, Mr Challis thanked the workshop members for their support over the last few years. Mrs Challis, who helped set up the charity with her husband when they owned the post office at Struchur, Argyll, said that financial help from the Tiree group was appreciated. But, she said, the 10-inch high teddy bears knitted by the group were a “big hit” with the orphans in Malawi.“These children have nothing and the look on their faces when they are given one of the teddy bears is a delight to see.”

Fiona Maxwell thanked the couple, who run the Raven Charity from Struchur, on behalf of the group.

On Sunday 21st March, along with thousands across the country, well over 100 Tirisdich turned out to support Tiree’s first ever Sport Relief Mile.

Many came along in fancy dress, entering into the spirit of fun for a worthy cause. Adults, children, firemen and even tots in buggies made their way ‘round the block’, from the school via the mill and back again. Some enthusiasts even went round 2 or 3 times!

A raffle of donated prizes was held in the school gym where the Youth Club also sold cakes and juice with all of the resulting money raised going towards the grand total. On the day the total was just under £1,000 but it now currently stands at £1, 094 which for a small island like this shows how generous and selfless people are when charity calls.

Well done to everyone who took part, donated prizes and money, those who helped beforehand and on the day, to Miss McArthur for the use of the school and to Lynsey who organised it with the help of Sport Relief and Will.

(I would simply like to thank everyone for coming along on the 21st and raising an awesome amount of money for a truly worthy cause. Also can I give a special thank you to all those who came along to
help. Many hands make light work and I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Lynsey)

More than a dozen members of Tiree Parish Church guild spent several hours filling shoe boxes with presents and wrapping them with Christmas paper before sending them off to children and poor adults in Eastern Europe.

The women worked tirelessly in the Resource Centre and filled an estimated 70 boxes for the recipients with items such as toys, toothpaste, warm gloves and hats, drawing pencils and pads, soap and sweets. The boxes were stacked for collection by Mark Armstrong who took them in the Wilson Carrier’s van to Oban where they were destined for the Blythswood shop before being sent off to Eastern Europe.

Two larger boxes also contained clothes sent in from the thrift shop at Barra. Catriona Rowan, who organised “operation boxes,” said:
“I would like to thank all the women who helped fill the boxes, and people who donated items. Also, Wilson Carrier’s who sent over empty boxes from Stead and Simpson shoe shop in Oban. “I am told that anyone who has seen the film of the children opening their boxes never forgets seeing their faces lighting up with joy. These children have nothing and are more than thrilled to get a present, expecially at Christmas time. “Some of the clothes are earmarked for an orphanage which I am hoping our guild will sponsor.”