Charity cheques handed out at 'fantastic weekend' for model club show in Wick
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The annual Caithness Model Club (CMC) show at the Norseman Hotel in Wick at the weekend saw a presentation of £1500 towards local good causes.
Chair of the CMC, Kenny Gunn, said it was a "fantastic weekend" for all who attended and added that the committee was delighted to hand over three charity cheques for £500 each to Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes, Caithness General Hospital's (CGH) Bignold Ward and John O'Groats Playpark.
"The support we got from businesses, the public, the Norseman Hotel with the way they looked after ourselves – it was just a fantastic weekend," said Kenny.
"We can't thank everyone enough for what we've achieved. The comments and thank-yous with people going out the door saying that was a lovely show you put on.
"We feel so grateful for the support from every angle. For a small club in the north of Scotland we're doing more than our best." Kenny also sent out a big thanks to the Caithness Courier for coming along and covering the show for the newspaper.
The cheque for the Wick hospital will go into a fund set up by Lynn Ross from Thurso who has suffered from arthritis for many years and wanted to give something back to the place where she was treated. She could not be there on the day but sent a message for publication: "I spent over a year in the Bignold Ward and want them to know I'm very grateful for everyone in the team who helped with all my medical needs.
"They worked 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week trying to support all my needs, wants and concerns even though they were very busy."
Stephen Makin, a consultant geriatrician who works at CGH in patient rehabilitation, said: "We look after people who have had illnesses or injuries who need to get their independence back. When people take the time to raise money for us, we can use the donated funds to increase patient comfort. For instance, we've just bought specialist beds that help prevent falls."
Pamela Johnson, volunteer rider and part of the Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes fundraising team, received one of the £500 cheques and said: "The money will go to things like fuel and maintenance of bikes and cars. It will all go to running costs so we can take samples from Caithness General down to Raigmore and beyond."
Willie Ross was at the event with his son Michael and received a cheque for a proposed children's playpark at John O'Groats. "We're part of a trust and the playpark is in the memory of Julie McGee, a local lass who passed away – it'll be a good way to remember her," he said.
Kenny Gunn added: "We've been going for 19 years and we raise money in the community and we like to put it back into the community. We like to give it to locals and we give it to different charities every year."
