US Navy personnel donated to local charity Tagsa Uibhist.

Abigail Taylor

A group of allied forces personnel, both military and civilian, travelled to the Outer Hebrides to support the recent military missile defence exercise, Formidable Shield 21, that was held during the last two weeks of May 2021.

One member of the team made over 120 cloth masks using custom fabric that featured the seal of the exercise. US Navy Project Officer for this exercise, Lieutenant Commander Alisha Hamilton made the masks in the United States and supplied them to her team in the Western Isles.

Those who got a mask were asked to make a donation to a local charity. In the end over £240 in donations was collected as a result of her efforts.

On Thursday, 3rd June 2021, Tagsa Uibhist was chosen to be the beneficiary of the funds Lieutenant Commander Hamilton’s effort raised.

Tagsa Uibhist is a charitable organisation based on Benbecula. It is focused on providing support to people living with dementia, caregivers, and vulnerable people living in their own homes.

Lieutenant Commander Hamilton presented the funds donated in connection to the masks she furnished to Chris MacLullich (pictured above).

Chris said: “We were delighted to have a surprise visit from Lieutenant Commander Hamilton and her colleague Kevin Gillis, and even more so when they presented us with the Formidable Shield face masks that had been used to raise funds for Tagsa.

It was a very kind gesture and good to make the connection between the US Navy personnel who are being hosted here and the local community. Both let us know that Uist is a very special place for them and their colleagues and that they were delighted to make this contribution. We will use the funds for our work supporting people living with dementia.”