A FORT William-based charity has issued an appeal for volunteer helpers as it gears up for its main annual fundraising mission.
Shopmobility Lochaber will hold its annual Flag Week from August 13-18 and, according to co-ordinator Billy Ward, it is crucial to the organisation’s future that people step in to assist.
Based in offices at An Aird, next door to Fort William railway station, the busy charity provides a vital service for local residents and visitors with a temporary or permanent disability or mobility issue, by providing a high quality, free hire service of wheelchairs, powerchairs, walkers and electric ride-on scooters.
The group is getting busier every year and recently expanded its premises and took delivery of new equipment.
Like so many other organisations, Shopmobility Lochaber depends on grant awards and donations from the public to keep running – and August’s Flag Week is very important. Mr Ward said: “This is our only week where we can go out and collect from the general public and we need to make it count.
“Without fundraisers like this, we would struggle to exist.
“We’re asking if people can spare an hour or two during the week to help us collect in Fort William High Street. We’re also asking if they would be willing to collect in their own street and from friends on our behalf.
“If so, we would be delighted to hear from them.
“Let’s make 2012 the best ever.”
Mr Ward added: “If people can’t manage to help by collecting, they can still assist by dropping some money into the cans of those who are collecting. “Quiet money is the best, but we take the noisy stuff too!”
On the final day of Flag Week – Saturday, August 18 – the charity is holding its now traditional scooter run/wheelchair push.
It will see volunteers, clients and supporters leave the office at 11am, go along High Street to Seafield Gardens – or the West End Hotel if raining – where they will have a picnic before returning along High Street, led by pipers.
Participants can be sponsored and forms are available from the Shopmobility offices.
*To offer support as a volunteer during Flag Week, contact the Shopmobility Lochaber office on 01397 700051.
