Delight as CLAN appeal breaks £200,000 barrier

The Shetland CLAN 1,2,3 appeal has now broken the £200,000 barrier.

Money has been pouring into its coffers at the rate of over £1,000 per day since it was launched in July. The fundraising push will last for 12 months and finish in July this year.

Since the last milestone of £100,000, there have been some significant donations and fund-raising efforts from different groups covering the length and breadth of Shetland.

The fishing industry made a large donation of over £17,000 from pledges on the sale of fish, while the search and rescue helicopter team staged an open weekend at Sumburgh which brought in a donation of £4,000.

CLAN committee co-ordinator Cecil Smith said the community’s ability to raise funds for the worthwhile cause during difficult economic times was astonishing. “The committee will be having a push over the next four to five months to bring the appeal to a close and to show the support in Shetland for a facility which none of us would want to use but in a time of need is warmly welcomed by those who have the furthest to travel for treatment.

“People in Shetland have shown a tremendous appetite to support CLAN and I hope they will continue to do so, especially with a couple of big events coming up in our variety concert [on 21st February in Clickimin] and Shetland Clan Dancing.”

This is a dancing competition which has already started and will culminate in April, and is being run on the same lines as the BBC TV hit show Strictly Come Dancing. In the Shetland version eight trainees, four men and four women, volunteer to be shown the ropes by expert coaches. Novices include Radio Shetland’s John Johnston and Jane Moncrieff, headteacher of AHS Valerie Nicolson and Tavish Scott MSP. Couples will be voted off and the grand final will take place at Clickimin, when it is hoped around 450 people will come to watch.

The Ness has had many fund-raising events and made significant contributions over the past couple of months. Local CLAN representative George Henderson said: “The support of families, individuals and the wider community in this area has been extremely encouraging as has the significant contribution made by the open day at CHC Helicopters.”

• The total this week stands at £205,929.