Knockout Katharine Brown Hosts Charity Event For Erskine

Miss UK Katharine Brown, provided her support for Erskine, as she hosted the all-time family favourite, ‘It’s A Knockout’ tournament as part of the charity’s fundraising efforts recently.

The all-day event took place at Strathclyde Park and saw over 20 teams of 10 participating in the former BBC hit gameshow ‘It’s a Knockout’, with contestants running the gauntlet, scaling fences and dodging water cannons during a series of challenges.

Two devoted care staff members of Erskine, Stephen Gallagher and Paul McVicar, organised the large event as part of their fundraising efforts for Erskine, which will see them take on the greatest challenge of their lives when they climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania next month.

Katharine Brown said: “The event was a lot of fun and it was a real honour to be involved in such a large fundraiser for Erskine. I wish the team well in their impending expedition which will be a great achievement and a fantastic way to raise money for the charity. I have heard a lot about Erskine and the great work that is carried out so I hope this event goes a long way in raising much needed funds for those veterans who rely on Erskine’s support.”

At 19,298ft, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in Africa. The team of 16, including Stephen and Paul and led by Erskine Ambassador Chris Moon, have set themselves the arduous challenge of completing the expedition in five days.

Stephen, a team leader at Yarrow House, Bishopton joined Erskine when he left the Army in 1987, and has cared for veterans for 17 years.

Stephen said: “We hope to raise £10,000 for the Kilimanjaro fund and today’s tournament has been a great success towards us achieving this goal. The event was highly enjoyable for all taking part as well as those spectators who came out to support our efforts. There was very much a carnival atmosphere created throughout the day with family fun for all adding to the day’s excitement.

“Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is something I’ve always wanted to do and I am always up for a challenge. I have always liked worked at Erskine and have confidence that that the charity will put the money raised to very good use.”

Paul is a Senior Care assistant in Red Cross House having worked for Erskine for 23 years and is used to gruelling challenges having taken part in a 200 mile sponsored cycle and a charity abseil in the past.

Paul said: “I have been hillwalking since I was a young boy and like Stephen, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is always something I’ve wanted to do. I am slightly apprehensive about the climb as I’m not sure how I will cope with the altitude sickness but I am very much looking forward to it.”

To support Stephen and Paul in their Kilimanjaro challenge visit http://www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Gallagher-Mount-Kilamanjaro

Stephen and Paul with former Miss Scotland Katharine Brown

Chirnside Tartan Army Walk To Collect Funds For Erskine

Around 15 foot soldiers from the Chirnside Tartan Army, friends and family, are taking part in a sponsored walk from Flodden to Selkirk - following the route thought to have been taken by Fletcher when he carried the flag from the Battle of Flodden back to the Borders town.

The event will start from the Flodden Memorial at Branxton at 9.30am on Friday, August 27, and the walkers hope to arrive in Selkirk between 1-2pm on Saturday, August 28, after covering approximately 35 miles.

On the first day the walkers will travel from the memorial to Wark Common, Sprouston and Kelso before following the River Tweed and the Borders Abbeys Way to Dryburgh.

On the Saturday they will head for Newtown St Boswells and join the St Cuthberts Way to Bowden and then on to Selkirk.

Doing the trek from Flodden to Selkirk on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th are James Bolton, John and Tamsin Ruthven, Pete Kinghorn, Derrick Middlemiss, Frank Strachan, Roger and Sharon West, Brian Mclingtoch, Kenny Hall, Nadine McGreggor, Michelle Bothwick, Ian Sparrie Burnet, Dave Pearson. They are hoping to raise between £2000 - £3000.

THE BATTLE OF FLODDEN 1513
In 1513, over seventy men from the Selkirk marched to Flodden Field with their king, James IV. Legend has it that only one survived, his name was Fletcher. On his return he cast a captured English standard around his head to describe that all others had perished in battle. The figure of Fletcher with the English standard is captured in a memorial by the Galashiels sculptor, Thomas Clapperton outside the largest meeting place in Selkirk, the Victoria Halls.

Super Great-Grandad Completes Men's 10K For Erskine

A Great-Granddad has proved that age is no barrier to complete the Men’s 10k in Glasgow in aid of Erskine.

Eddie McGuire, aged 71, from Barrhead, ran the Glasgow course in just 75 minutes to raise a fantastic £300 – the second time he has completed the race in aid of Erskine.

Eddie, who has four children, 12 grandchildren and one great grandson, had never been interested in running until he entered his first 10k in 2009 as a way of getting fit. Then, he ran the 10k in 72 minutes and raised over £300 for Erskine.

He was inspired to raise funds for the cause due to the high profile of the current military operations abroad. The veterans’ charity has made a commitment to providing medical care and support to veterans, young and old, and Eddie thought Erskine would be the perfect organisation to benefit from his efforts.

Eddie said: “I done the 10k last year mostly because I wanted to get fit. I was getting fed up of sitting in the house doing nothing. I am a member of the United Services Club in Barrhead and there were a lot of stories in the paper about young men in Afghanistan, many of whom are injured so I thought I would do it for Erskine.

“I got a lot of great support from a lot of different people in Barrhead – it is amazing how people rally round. I’m quite chuffed that I have managed to complete the course twice and will keep doing it as long as I can.”

Catriona Connelly, Erskine fundraiser, said: “Eddie is a shining example of the length our supporters go to raise funds for the Erskine cause. He has proved that age is no barrier to getting fit and with the tremendous support of the Barrhead community he has raised a lot of money which will help us to provide the highest standard of care to veterans in Scotland.”

Eddie would like to thank the United Services Club, Bad Boys Club, and Afley Inns in Barrhead; the Wellington Bar in Paisley; staff and customers of the Brigg Inn and Claire’s Takeaway on Neilston Road for their generous support in his fundraising activities.

Eddie presents his cheque to fundraiser Catriona Connelly

Young Supporters Raise Vital Funds For Veterans During Summer Jumble Sale

Five young supporters recently gave up their time during the summer holidays to hold a Jumble Sale in aid of the veterans’ charity Erskine.

The neighbours from Mains Drive in Erskine - Morven Donald, 13; Kaitlyn Millar, 14; Tiree Gallacher, 14; Rachael Millar, 12; Bethany Robertson, 11; and Mairi Donald, 11 – all sold toys, games, home baking as well as a Tombola and Guess the Teddies in the Jar to raise £102.60.

This is the third in a row that the girls have raised money for Erskine with their efforts in 2008 and 2009 raising money for Erskine Mains Home, Erskine. This year, their fundraising efforts were donated to Ramsey House, where Morven and Mairi’s mum Liz Donald cares for veterans.

The girls planned their event in the lead up to the Summer holidays and were assisted by the charity’s Fundraising Department who provided Erskine t-shirts, posters, balloons and buckets.

Morven, who received a Community award from Park Mains High School along with Rachael and Kaitlyn for their efforts last summer, was delighted to raise the money for a good cause.

She said: “We made over 40 posters which we stuck up around Erskine and we even ripped up mum’s old bed sheet to make a banner. We got lots of customers including our local postman James and our friend in the street Aidan, who bought lots of our cakes and he kindly helped. Any left over toys we donated them to Carly’s Kindergarten which is the local nursery up the street.

“We went down to the Erskine Home in Bishopton to hand over the money. They counted and announced that we raised £102.60 which we were all so happy about. We are looking forward to next year’s sale.”

Lesley Miller, Fundraising Manager at Erskine, said: “All the girls put a lot of hard work and dedication into making their Jumble Sale a huge success. Erskine is delighted that they have supported our care of veterans three years in a row and we are looking forward to the five girls repeating their success next Summer.”

To find out ways in which you can raise money for Erskine visit www.erskine.org.uk.

Picture: (L-R) Kaitlyn Millar, Mairi Donald, Rachael Millar, Tiree Gallagher, Morven Donald and Bethany Robertson wear their Erskine t-shirts with pride.

Quilters Group Makes Beautiful Donation To Verterans In Memory Of Member

One of Scotland’s oldest patchwork and quilting groups has donated a series of beautiful quilts to veterans at the Erskine Edinburgh Home in memory of one of their members.

The Thistle Quilters paid visit to the Gilmerton care home to present their wonderful creations to the ex-Service men and women in its care.

The donation was made in memory of their member Mrs Ruth Jellinek, who sadly passed away last year. Fabric from her personal collection was donated by her family and was part of the material used to create the impressive wall quilts. At the handover of the donation, the group was joined by Mrs Jellinek’s husband Ernest and daughter Diana.

Alison Murray, Chairperson of the Thistle Quilters, said: “The committee felt the fabric should be enjoyed by our members, but also we should look for a charitable outlet for our creativity. Our reason for choosing Erskine stemmed primarily the fact that at the funeral of Mrs Jellinek, the family has suggested donations be given to Combat Stress. We realised how closely the military charities work together and Erskine had a new building with plenty of blank walls that could be livened up.”

The group’s donation was also helped along by the Tryst Patchwork and Quilting group which has donated tartan wall quilts for the walls at the Erskine Edinburgh Home.

Lynn Suttie, Home manager, said: “This is an extremely thoughtful donation by the Thistle Quilters group in memory of their much-loved member Ruth Jellinek. We are delighted to receive these wonderful and creative wall quilts, which will be enjoyed by our veterans for many years to come.”

The Thistle Quilters, which has been running since 1981 and boasts 50 members from across Midlothian, East Lothian and Fife, will also display some of their creations in the Portobello Library from 9 - 22 August.

The Thistle Quilters accompanied by Mr Ernest Jellinek and his daughter Diana present the wall quilts to veterans at our Edinburgh home.