Lochaber Supports Refugees

Iain Ferguson Making a donation to the Lochaber Supports Refugees charity has never been easier thanks to the opening of a new shop in Fort William High Street.

The local group has been active for many years, collecting clothes, footwear and other items as diverse as camping equipment at its storage base at Camaghael from where they were sorted and sent to those in need in other parts of the world.

All of this is now done at what most people will recognise as the former Wynne the Butcher’s shop at Aird’s Crossing, which will be open for donations twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays, between 11am and 1pm.

As a result of recent conflicts, the need for adult male clothing in particular is increasing, with shirts, trousers, socks, underwear, thick and warm hoodies all very much in demand. Women’s clothing will be most welcome. Donations should be clean and in good condition so that they can be quickly sorted by volunteers, ready for immediate use by those who need them. They

also put together complete ‘family’ boxes with adult and children’s clothing.

Clothing is both sent abroad and given to refugees arriving in this country, who will almost certainly have left their homes with almost nothing and need assistance as they face an uncertain future. With winter coming, a particular emphasis, as Highland dwellers will know from their own experience, will be on staying warm so donations of heavy indoor and outdoor wear is doubly welcome. Being part of the ‘Highland’s Support Refugees’ charity is also an advantage when aid is needed abroad. With increasing costs and paperwork, co-operation is vital so that a number of charities can pool transport resources to make sure the clothing can reach the places in which it is needed. In addition to individual donations, many businesses, including large retail chains also make donations of new clothes which are surplus to their requirements. Likewise, the refugee charity will donate items they are unable to use to shops run by other charities, so that nothing goes to waste.

Co-ordinator Sandra Smith said: ‘The new shop is absolutely fantastic, in that it is really visible and in a convenient location for both donations and our volunteers. The rent is also much lower which means less of a drain on our finances.

‘It is a great space and I would like to thank everyone who helped turn the building from an empty shell into a working area, with places for sorting and storage.’

For more information go to the charity’s facebook page or call Sandra on 07765 670535.

HIBIKE Fort William

Launching in spring 2022

The countdown is on to the launch of HIBIKE Fort William in spring 2022. The electric bike share scheme will have 60 ebikes and eight charging hubs at key locations around Fort William and will be available for everyone to use with annual, monthly and pay per ride membership options.

The LEG team recently headed east for the launch of HIBIKE Inverness, which currently has 30 electric bikes and three charging hubs. We took the Inverness ebikes for a spin and can confi rm they are comfortable, easy and fun to ride. The electric assistance makes the riding feel light and easy and is great for getting up steep hills.

The large basket on the front is a great addition, making it practical and easy to carry shopping or heavy bags. Check out HIBIKE at https://

Hibike charging hub in inverness.

www.hi-bike.co.uk HIBIKE membership will enable access to the ebikes in both towns once the Fort William scheme is operational. LEG will also be working with local businesses to help them and their employees use the HIBIKE ebikes to get around town, with corporate membership off ering tailored packages so that organisations can off er their staff discounted HIBIKE membership.

Commuting by ebike is a great way to keep fi t and healthy, reduce commuting costs, reduce traffi c congestion and improve local air quality and the HIBIKE ebikes are lots of fun to ride.

HIBIKE Fort William is funded by the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund with support from European Regional Development Funds and Transport Scotland and Highland Council.

For more info about the HIBIKE project visit https:// lochaberenviro.org.uk or email info@lochaberenviro.org.uk

the Leg team and vikki trelfer, HitRAns Active travel offi cer, at the launch of Hibike inverness. from right to left: Rachel McKerral, Kate willis, vikki trelfer and Emma Walters.

LAnDsCAPes AnD MotoRbiKes feAtURe in CHARitY CALenDARs

Iain Ferguson As November trundles on and the end of the 2021 approaches, the time has come to look to the future and make sure you don’t forget those important dates that come round annually. How? Buy a 2022 calendar!

With so many to choose from, why not consider one which also helps support worthwhile causes. If you are a fan of motorcycles, the Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes charity calendar could be just what you need, with photographs of their bikes at various locations. They have a choice of two calendars featuring their colourful bikes in different locations across the country. The desk calendar costs £8.99, while the wall calendar is £9.99. Both can be ordered by online at https:// www.haibloodbikes.co.uk/shop/

If you prefer beautifully colourful views of Highland and Scottish life, then the ‘Scotland on your Wall’ calendar is the one for you. Featuring sun, sand, snow, stags and flowers, found across the country the calendar was produced by Abrightside Photography in conjunction with award-winning local charity Star for Harris which supports treatment and raises awareness of childhood cancer. Cost is £13 each, with half of this going to the charity. Email abrightsidephoto@gmail.com to order.

tHe gooDe Life

One lady who could have quite a collection of calendars is Alice Goode, who celebrated her 106th birthday on September 30. Born in Poolewe, Wester Ross, on September 30 1915, Alice moved to Lochaber in the 1930s and where with husband Bill they brought up four children in Inverlochy. During the war, she worked in the casting shop at the British Aluminium smelter and went on to have numerous jobs over the years, becoming wellknown and highly regarded in the community.

Still bright and alert, she is now in Invernevis House Care Home where family and staff laid on a special treat for her with cards, presents, an illuminated birthday cake made up from a tower of cup cakes and a specially made tiara with the numbers 106 on top.

One special card came from HM the Queen wishing her a happy and enjoyable birthday. This is Alice’s seventh card from the Queen.

Opening the card, Alice held it aloft and joked: ‘She looks just like me, but doesn’t have my tiara.’ She went to open many more cards and presents saying: ‘There’s no room for these by my bedside, but I will be putting the Queen’s card there.’