Halloween fun day boost for Home-Start Caithness winter appeal
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The campaign by Home-Start Caithness to help keep local families warm this winter has been boosted by more than £800 as a result of a Halloween fun day held in Wick Youth Club.
The Wick-based charity has set a £4500 target for its Winter Warmers appeal, in the hope that local businesses and members of the public will sponsor a family so they can receive a "warm parcel".
Youth club manager Julie Mackinnon had donated £100 to the campaign and waived the fee for hiring the hall and bouncy castle. Julie said: "It's important that we work alongside other partners – especially those who, like us, are supporting local families."
The volunteers arranging the Halloween event were led by Claire Fraser and supported on the day by the Home-Start staff team of Aimee Millington, Vikky Gordon and Fiona Carlisle.
Many other volunteers and helpers made home baking, arranged tombola prizes and donated raffle prizes. Karen Center, the community champion at Tesco in Wick, was among those supporting the fun day.
The total amount raised was £863.05, making it the most successful event Home-Start Caithness has ever run.
All the money will go to the Winter Warmer campaign to help family members combat the cold over the winter months.
As a result of this event, 34 parcels will be donated.
Volunteers will be needed to help make up family parcels in late November and deliver them.
Aimee Millington, who is leading the fundraising appeal, said: "This winter, many families are already making difficult choices of how to heat and eat – and this is only going to get worse.
"Our warm parcels will help everyone in our supported families and we still have around £3000 to raise. We are looking for businesses or groups that may wish to sponsor a family or charitable individuals who may wish to publicly or privately donate.
"You can donate online via our Facebook page or by bank transfer via our administrator Jenni on 01955 609163."
Home-Start Caithness is committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under the age of five. The charity has been supporting families in the county since 1999.
Currently it supports almost 65 families across Caithness through various groups as well as its home-visiting peer support service.
