While the village of Gargunnock may be small, its residents have proved to be big-hearted when it comes to charity.
Over the festive season, locals helped raise the sum of £4,351.72 for The ME Association.
ME or Myalgic Encephalopathy is a hidden illness that has struck a number of families with connections to Gargunnock and 10 years ago the village was particularly shaken when one of its own – Alan Cumming – took his own life when his illness got too much for him.
The fundraising began with collection boxes in The Gargunnock Inn and Gargunnock Village Store. Then the Gargoygles acapella singing group chose to fundraise for The ME Association in all its festive singing and encouraged others to join in. By Christmas, it seemed that everyone was involved in one way or another.
As well as the Gargoyles' performances at Waitrose, Stirling Famers Market, and the Woodhouse Café in Kippen, fundraising for The ME Association included: the Alternative Village Christmas card (a communal Christmas card) organised by Jane Milne; David King ran his first 10k at the age of 67 (Edinburgh Men's 10k); Gargunnock Primary School held a collection after its Christmas service in Gargunnock Church; Carols in the Kirk at Gargunnock Church, involving Gargunnock Songsters and other local performers; carol singing in Gargunnock and for guests at Gargunnock House and an “In Memorial” page for late husband Alan by Helen Hyland.
Helen herself is The ME Association's Fundraising Manager and she said: “I am so grateful and proud to live in such a caring and supportive village. I cannot thank my friends and neighbours enough for their magnificent support for The ME Association.”
Picture shows, from the left: Helen Hyland, Zoe Fouracre (Gargoyles), 10k runner David King, Helen Rowell (another Gargoyle) and Morgan Wilson, chair of the pupil council at Gargunnock Primary School. Picture courtesy of John McLaren, www.mclarn.plus.com