SVRA Tune Up £ Donation To Help Scottish Veterans

The Scottish Vehicle Recovery Association (SVRA) and its member companies have given their backing to veterans’ charity Erskine with a generous donation.

SVRA visited The Erskine Home in Bishopton recently to hand over a cheque for £5,000 raised through Corporate Membership subscriptions.

Erskine’s Community Fundraising manager Lesley Miller was delighted to receive the money from Alex Robb, SVRA Chairman recently.

She said: “Donations such as this from the SVRA are key to helping Erskine provide its high standard of unrivalled care at its five homes and partnership homes across Scotland. Without the kindness of our loyal supporters we would not be able to provide the care that our ex-Service men and women of all ages deserve.”

The member companies who helped to raise the donation include D.Swinley Engineering based in Kirkcaldy; Singer & Friedlander Finance in Glasgow; McDonald Black Insurance in Glasgow; Arinsdale Ltd Equipment in Grangemouth; Dingbro Parts/ Access’s in Elgin; Greenflag; Britannia Rescue; and Bollington Motor Trade.

For more information about SVRA visit www.scottishvehiclerecovery.com.

Community Fundraising manager Lesley Miller receives cheque from Alex Robb, SVRA Chairman

Big Long Chippy Run

One hundred and eighty seven miles is a long way to go for a good fish supper - especially if you are swimming, cycling and running.

But according to the members of Glasgow Triathlon Club who did just that last weekend to raise money for Erskine and two other charities, the chips taste all the better for the effort.

Around 40 members of the club took part in a unique charity event called the Big Long Chippie Run Triathlon. The three-day challenge took them from the west coast of Scotland to the east coast village of Anstruther, aptly the home of Scotland’s famous Anstruther Fish Bar.

Starting at 6am on Friday (26th July), the Big Long Chippie Run Triathlon set off from Helensburgh for an eight-mile cycle to Balloch. For the next 11 hours, a relay of swimmers headed north along the spectacular 22-mile length of Loch Lomond.

After a night at Bienglas Campsite, Inverarnan, the triathletes then cycled the 96 miles from Ardlui to Kinross.

The final leg on the Sunday included 40 miles of cycling and 11 miles of running. Participants were joined by many friends and relatives for the final one mile run into Anstruther on Sunday. And there were cheers and clapping from bystanders in the popular coastal village as the Big Long Chippy Run Triathlon finally came to a finish outside the door of Scotland’s best chip shop.

It was then over to the staff at award-winning Anstruther Fish bar to fry up enough fish and chips to feed the exhausted triathletes.

Mini-bus and van support for the event was provided by Mitchells Hire Drive at Dumbarton.

Yesterday, Glasgow Triathlon Club president David Wilson said: “Some people will go a long way for a good fish supper and our club is no exception. Although this was a tough event we all had a fantastically enjoyable time. We are also delighted to have raised more than £1500 for our nominated charities.”

The club’s secretary Stewart Reid added: “When we thought up this event as part of the club’s 10th anniversary celebrations we has no idea how much fun it would be – nor how good the chips would taste at the end. This has been an incredibly special weekend and one that many people will treasure for years to come.”

Money raised from the Big Long Chippie Run Triathlon will be split equally among Erskine, Loch Lomond Rescue Boat (LLRB) and The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the club, which welcomes all abilities, can check out www.glasgowtriathlonclub.co.uk.

Andy On Form Again For Erskine

A long-standing supporter of Erskine has come up trumps again for his favourite charity!

Andy Cumming, from Paisley, has raised thousands of pounds, over a number of years for the veterans’ charity trying something different every time.

Last year he organised a five-a-side football tournament and this year a raffle, which included a football shirt signed by the current Rangers team raised £600.

Andy managed to increase his fundraising efforts after his employers Royal Bank of Scotland gave a further £500 through its Community Cash Back Scheme, which recognises their employee’s charitable commitments and helps to support the charities they are involved with.

Well done Andy and his RBS employers!

Erskine Glasgow's Marathon Success

A team of care staff who provide first-class care to Glasgow’s war veterans have raised £1,831 after completing the Edinburgh Marathon.

The runners from the Erskine Glasgow Home in Anniesland, which opened in February 2008, raised the cash after running as the Erskine Glasgow Snails relay team on May 31st.

Care assistant Mark Ewing, from Dumbarton, Senior Care Assistant Judith McLay, from Kirkintilloch; Senior Care Assistant John Barrett, from Drumchapel, and Ally Johnston, 17, from Rothesay set out to raise £1,000 for the home by pounding the streets of Scotland’s capital.

But they were overjoyed to raise nearly double their initial target by running the Hairy Haggis Team Relay.

Gordon Johnston, Erskine Glasgow Home manager, said: "Given that it was one of the hottest days of the year, and that there was a lack of available water at some stages of the course, the team did remarkably well to complete the marathon without any mishaps; the only ailments being sore legs and sunburn! Everyone at Erskine Glasgow is really proud of Judith, John, Ally and Mark. We hope to make this an annual event!"

Judith, John, Ally and Mark after completing their Edinburgh marathon challenge.

Bridge Of Don Academy Dress Down For Erskine

The Bridge of Don Academy has been putting their fundraising hats on again for Erskine.

The 5th and 6th year pupils managed to raise £744.45 for the veterans’ charity by holding a Heroes and Villains themed dress down day and a quiz.

Recently Erskine Area Co-ordinator North, Catherine Cowie, visited the school to receive the cheque from pupils.

She said: “This is a fantastic donation from the Bridge of Don Academy, it is wonderful that they have chosen Erskine as the charity to benefit from their fundraising activities yet again. Donations such as this allow Erskine to continue to provide unrivalled medical and nursing care to veterans of all ages across Scotland. Their efforts are extremely welcomed.”

Catherine Cowie receives the cheque from 5th and 6th year pupils