Local news from our community organisations
Chrissie and Ani MND fundraiser
Two Uist women have put their heads together to raise funds for a charity very close to their hearts.
Chrissie Laing from Drimsdale and Ani George from Locheport both have Motor Neurone Disease and are holding fundraising events in aid of MND Scotland, a national charity funding ground-breaking research into the condition.
A Whist Drive is being held in Stoneybridge Hall on 17th March at 8pm, and a Craft Fair and raffle is also planned at Carinish Hall, on April 8th between 11am and 4pm.
Ani will be making another of her famous hand carved chess sets for auction, and there are also some great reffle prizes to win, including a Lady Anne Boat trip for two, a two-person paddle boarding day with Uist Sea Tours, a ball signed by the Scotland National Rugby Team and a voucher for dinner at the Dark Island Hotel.
Raffle tickets for both events are available in shops, cafes and post offices. Both fundraising drives can also be supported through Ani’s facebook page.
Chrissie was officially diagnosed with MND in October 2018 and she says it was actually a relief to finally understand the symptoms she was experiencing. The condition has impacted Chrissie in many ways, not least forcing her to give up a job she loved.
“Any illness diagnosis is a blow but the kind hearts and souls of my friends, township and the wider community, have helped and encouraged me to keep going. Someone asked me just after my official diagnosis ‘how do you cope?’; my answer was that I am the same person today as I was yesterday, the only difference is that I now have a bit more added to my medical records.
“I am hopeful that one day they will find a control on this disease and, even better, a cure.”
Ani was diagnosed in July 2022 and says the news was devastating. In the few months since her diagnosis, Ani says a lot has changed:
“I now need a wheelchair to get around any distance, my balance is not great and I am no longer able to drive or work. Each day I keep my focus as positive as possible and remind myself that I still have life left in me.”
“One thing I have learned is to let go of the fear and worry. I really do not know how MND will affect me or at what pace. This condition will eventually stop me from speaking, swallowing and eventually breathing, so a lot of fear was experienced in the beginning months. I have now come to terms with this and choose to live each day as it comes and focus only on what I can do today.”
“MND affects everyone differently, so it is impossible to know how it will affect me and at what rate. On average life expectancy is 18 months from diagnosis but it can also be a slower progression.”
MND is a progressive, life-shortening illness which affect nerves called motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
In a healthy person, the motor neurons carry signals from the brain directly to the muscles, but if you’re living with MND, these signals are prevented from reaching your muscles.
Around 200 people diagnosed with MND each year in Scotland, and while support is available, there is no cure.
Uibhisteach – gu h-oifigeil!
Congratulations to Liam Crouse, who was awarded British Citizenship at a special ceremony in Balivanich in January.
Liam first came to Uist in 2015 and has been with us ever since, working in a variety of roles whilst completing his post graduate research.
“In January this year, I finally became a British Citizen at a long-awaited ceremony in the Comhairle offices in Balivanich. I was fortunate to have been able to take my oath of allegiance in Gaelic, the first time that the registrar had done so, and to have Alasdair Allan MSP, who was undertaking constituency visits in Uist, as a witness.
“The ceremony was the culmination of many years of effort, navigating successive Tory governments’ ‘hostile environment’ towards immigrants, and paying many thousands of pounds in ever-rising fees.
“I’m not sure how many people within Am Pàipear’s readership are aware of the obstacles I faced in securing the right to live and work in the United Kingdom, nor that it has taken well over a decade to do so. It certainly wasn’t easy.
“To give a potted history of my citizenship journey, for those interested, I came to Scotland in 2008 for my undergraduate degree. Back then, there was a post-graduate visa available to foreign students that provided a pathway to citizenship. This was removed in 2012 shortly before I graduated. I eventually managed to return on an ancestry visa, for which I had to become a Canadian citizen to qualify (Liam is American) and after several years of back-and-forth living, including a post-graduate degree.
“I am pleased to become a citizen and continue to live in Uist and would like to thank especially those who accommodated my ‘special’ status, for work purposes or otherwise, and those who supported my applications through the various stages through the years.”
Taigh Sgìre Sholais re opens its doors to the community
Taigh Sgìre Sholais in Sollas is opening its doors once again following a two year period of refurbishment.
The old Dunskellar Primary School closed in 2002 and was taken over by the community shortly afterwards. The venue has been a home for Seachdain Sholais (Sollas Week) for over 20 years, and has hosted all kinds of community events, from fundraising coffee mornings, the annual Burns Supper, weddings, playgroup sessions, thrift shop, art exhibitions, book group, curry nights, dancing classes and public meetings.
Covid put community activities on hold, and the building remained closed through lockdown.
In January 2021, just as things were starting to return to normal, a fire broke out in the back porch of the building forcing an extended closure. Although the fire was thankfully contained, smoke damage was extensive and the building pretty much had to be gutted.
After two years of refurbishment works, the Taigh Sgìre is back in business. Bookings are already starting to build, with the Knit & Natter group back in action, yoga classes planned and birthday parties and a wedding on the cards – not to mention the three-years postponed Community Christmas Dinner which is coming soon!
Sgìre Sholais will have it grand re-opening on Saturday 4th March with tea, cake cutting and music from 1-3pm, followed by a cèilidh in the evening from 7pm.
All warmly welcomed.
An update from the OH Youth Local Action Group (YLAG)
Young islanders aged between 16 and 30 are being encouraged to join a new youth group centred around community development, local-economic development, and youth empowerment.
The Outer Hebrides Youth Local Action Group (YLAG) is looking for members to encourage youth groups, organisations, community groups and individuals to apply for the YLAG Fund.
The YLAG pot is democratically managed, with YLAG members deciding which projects receive funding and how much support they will recieve.
Members also have the opportunity to collaborate with other YLAGs across Scotland, with residential weekends and a host of other networking opportunities.
YLAG Facilitator Hector Malcom said: “We seek to be as representative of the Outer Hebrides as possible, and so we particularly like to hear from lesser-heard voices, and those with certain backgrounds; musicians, artists, writers, Gaelic speakers, sport, mental health, young carers and entrepreneurs .”
“If you are interested in joining the Outer Hebrides YLAG, or curious about the fund, please contact me at hectordmalcolm@gmail.com or send us a message on our socials: @outerhebrides_ylag.”
Islands architecture
A touring exhibition of winners and entrants to the 2022 Highlands & Islands Architectural Association Awards will be making its way to Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath on the 28th March.
The Awards showcase the work of more than 30 architectural projects in the Western Isles and include Andy and Janet Laverty’s ‘Taigh Bainne’ in Eriskay, designed by BARD Ailteir and built by local contractor Paul Anthony MacInnes.
Studio Hebrides are running school workshops in the week before the exhibition and the work of the pupils will be included alongside the professionals work.
Our vibrant island life
Uist Beò’s social media has become the ‘go to’ platform for information about life across Uist. From March 8th the organisation’s new website will add to the offer, with stories and blog posts about living on, working in and experiencing Uist, innovating, creating and investing in Uist, and, not least, moving to Uist!
The Uist Beò platform was developed by CoDeL to reflect the realities of the vibrant and dynamic island life in Uist, for islanders and visitors, and to attract younger people and families to return or settle in these islands.
Army cadet awards
Western Isles Army Cadets held a training camp in Uist at the end of February.
At the conclusion of their camp, the opportunity was taken to present several awards to a number of cadets and their instructors.
The presentation was made at Congreve House, Balivanich, by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Alasdair MacEachen.
Amongst the awards made, was the Cadet Forces Medal, which was presented to SMI Iain Moar, South Uist.
The Western Isles Army Cadets also marked a very successful year with their collection efforts for the Earl Haig Poppy Appeal, raising £2583.
