YOUNGSTERS in need across Inverclyde are feeling warmer on winter days thanks to a generous donation from a local charity. The Senit Foundation gifted £500 to Children in Poverty Inverclyde, and CIPI founder Pat Burke and his team used the cash to buy fleece-lined padded jackets for youngsters aged three to 12. The jackets made their way to children at Bluebird Family Centre, Glenbrae Children s Centre, Aileymill and St Francis nurseries, and Lady Alice Primary School. Councillor Tommy McVey dropped the jackets off to pupils at Lady Alice. Pat also used some of the money to buy clothing for infants and donated supplies to Greenock and Port Glasgow health visiting services.
SCORES of families who are struggling with life in lockdown received a helping hand from a local charity thanks to a big cash injection. Children in Poverty Inverclyde received £3,600 through the Scottish Government s community winter support fund, supported by the STV Children s Appeal, and immediately put the money to good use. Pat Burke and George Wall from CIPI enlisted the help of local councillor Tommy McVey and community campaigner Veronica Doherty to identify the families most in need of help. A total of 36 families were identified and each was gifted £100, in the form of £50 in Morrisons vouchers and £50 in Tesco F&F clothing vouchers.
A KIND schoolgirl is using pedal power to raise funds to honour the late daughter of her rugby coach. Greenock Wanderers player Ailidh Howie is cycling 100km during the month of February in aid of Neuroblastoma UK, a charity supporting children who are battling the rare cancer. The 11-year-old is coached by Ross Mitchell, who lost his little girl Rosie Veronica to it. She wanted to mark the second anniversary of Rosie s passing by doing something kind. The Moorfoot Primary pupil is part of Rosie s Rascals - a group of supporters who each year take on fundraising efforts and challenges in memory of the local youngster.
A VITAL community hub which helped to reduce isolation and loneliness in 2020 is set to support even more people this year. The team at Inverclyde Shed got involved in a myriad of eco-focused activities in communities across the district last year. Shed members didn t let the coronavirus pandemic stop them from keeping in touch and working on lots of different initiatives. From building orchards and setting up a digital shed, to delivering vegetables to the elderly and creating a remembrance garden, the team s dedication made life better for hundreds of people. Chairman Bruce Newlands says the Shed - crowned Scottish Men s Shed Association Shed of the Year in October - is a community where people can be comfortable and share their interests.