Thousands raised for Nepal relief effort

Nearly £2,000 was raised for the victims of the recent Nepal earthquakes in a fund-raising Nepalese meal organised by Scalloway couple Beth and Ian Cummings in Scalloway Hall on Saturday.

Beth said the event was “absolutely fabulous, beyond our expectations”, and the generosity of the local wholesalers, supermarkets and businesses who had supplied the food ingredients was “incredible”.

The couple used two of the hall’s giant pots for cooking two types of Nepalese curry, plus a kids’ menu.

Ian said the chicken curry sold out by 7pm and the vegetarian version by 7.30pm, and added: “I was amazed, people just kept on coming, I wondered if there was anyone in the hotel. The atmosphere was great, everyone was that happy.”

The couple plan to donate the money raised to the trekking company that organised their trip to Nepal last year – this will help with rebuilding stricken areas. They are also considering going out to the country again this year to help in this effort.

The same evening a French-themed meal, again to raise funds for Nepal, took place at Levenwick Hall, with an ambitious menu of galettes, cassoulet and crepes, and more.

This was followed by a rendition of French songs by Janice Armstrong, accompanied by Meilo So, which had the visitors enraptured.

Even the raffle had a French theme, with genuine French garlic and a teach-yourself French course among the prizes.

One of the organisers, Elizabeth Robinson, said the hall committee had been delighted by the turnout of people supporting the Nepal fundraiser, and added: “We all love cooking and love getting together.”

All proceeds were destined for the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Levenwick Hall was busy again on Sunday for the “Heart for Nepal” sale of artwork organised by artist James Thomason.

He decided to sell the works that were “cluttering up his life” in order to raise money for those affected by the two recent devastating earthquakes. Business was brisk and by mid-afternoon he had sold around 40 pieces and raised hundreds of pounds for the relief effort.

His paintings featured colourful local and Australian scenes – James worked as an art tutor to aboriginals in Australia who were displaced into the Nullabor desert, with classes of around 90 people, plus dogs and children.

He said of Sunday’s sale: “It’s been marvellous. I opened with trepidation, not knowing if people would want to buy [my work]. I knocked down the prices and people responded, as much for Nepal as for my art.”