PICTURES: Donation from Cairngorm will help No Limits Caithness keep services going
A Wick-based charity has received a £500 donation from Highland windows manufacturer Cairngorm Group which will help ensure its services can continue in the face of rising energy costs.
No Limits Caithness offers play experiences for children with additional support needs and seeks to "build back their lost confidence".
Shelly Munro, who runs No Limits Caithness from Wick Family Centre, said: “With the soaring energy costs, we might not have been able to open again this autumn, but this cash helps us to keep going with our important role in the community."
The grant has come from Jennifer’s Fund, launched in memory of Jennifer McBurnie, who died last year, daughter of Cairngorm chairman David Dowling and sister of joint managing directors Chris and Scott Dowling. The fund has been particularly aimed at benefiting children and families.
No Limits Caithness is for those from four to 18 years old, although the current group of children attending are aged from five to 12.
“It is for youngsters with additional needs," Shelly explained. "We welcome children with a range of additional needs such as autism, ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder], developmental disorders, physical conditions and many others and we help and support them through fun activities and games.
“There’s an acknowledged lack of support services in Caithness for children with additional needs – and Covid and lockdown has severely negatively affected the confidence of some of these boys and girls. Some of them were extremely distressed at how their routine was affected.
“It has been clear since we reopened that many children have anxieties about meeting new people. We aim to build back their lost confidence through outdoor play experiences.”
The group has recently had excursions to Newton Hill, Dunnet Forest, beaches and rockpools, as well as a shopping trip to show them how to scan in purchases.
“We can see a gradual build-up of confidence returning," Shelly said. "For instance, you see them starting to talk and play with children from outside the group, which is encouraging.
“It’s about enhancing their life skills and getting them back to happy socialising. Our sessions also provide some much-needed respite for their families.
“The Cairngorm cash is a godsend as it helps us cope with the rising electricity charges which we mightn’t otherwise have afforded. We’ve been holding Saturday sessions since the schools resumed, but with this donation – and hopefully other support – we’re looking to stay open during the October school break.”
Cairngorm’s manufacturing facility is in Inverness and it has a shop in Thurso.
Joint managing director Chris Dowling said: "No Limits Caithness is a highly suitable good cause to benefit from our Jennifer’s Fund project.
“They provide a safe and supported play experience for these children, particularly in addressing issues raised by the pandemic. They perform a valuable role in their community and we’re extremely pleased to be of assistance.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about No Limits Caithness, or even working with the charity, can get in touch through Facebook.
Shelly added: "We’re desperately needing some new staff as the numbers of children attending are increasing. The work is a lot of fun, challenging, varied and very rewarding."
