284 May 2018 - Gryffe Advertizer

8
the advertizer
The Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Branch of SSAFA - the
Armed Forces charity founded in 1885, reported another successful year
at its well-attended 2018 AGM at the Old Library, Kilbarchan with the
Branch President HM Lord Lieutenant Guy WNH Clark CVO FSI JP in the
chair.
The Branch, one of twenty-two in Scotland, supports those who serve in
our Armed Forces, those who used to serve and the families of both. This
is our 134th Year and was the only multi-service charity at the start of
World War One.
During the last year to December 31st, 2017 the Branch has sourced and
distributed goods and services to 160 veterans and their families in our
local community to the value of £129,036 and administered a further
£19,933 paid to Annuitants. SSAFA welcomes enquiries from those who
have served, or who are serving, in our Forces and the families of both who
are in need and require practical assistance. The qualifying criterion for
assistance in time of need is usually to have received one day’s pay in the
Armed Forces (including National Service) or in the Merchant Navy. SSAFA
represent most other Military and Merchant Navy Charities.
Volunteering with SSAFA is a very satisfying experience. The branch is
currently looking for volunteers to help with Case Working, Administration,
IT and Publicity & Fundraising. Full training is given and expenses paid.
The recipients of this year’s Long
Service Awards were Caseworkers
John Clark (15 years), Cathy Coe
and Irene Robertson (10 years),
Rod Headon-Smith (5 years);
Divisional Treasurer Owen
Evans (15 years) and Divisional
Secretary Irene McCallum (30
years).
Further details for both those
that require practical assistance
or as a potential volunteer can be found by contacting the Branch Secretary,
Joyce Goater, at the Wynd Centre, Paisley 0141 840 4060, renfrewshire@
ssafa.org.uk or via the website (www.ssafa.org.uk).
Registered Charity No: 210760 (Since 1885) and SC038056
Houston Mum takes on
Marathon Challenge in
Memory of her Dad
A Renfrewshire resident is raising money
for the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) life
saving research by taking part in the Virgin
Money London Marathon.
Dr Kirsty Horne, 41, from Houston, works with
people and families affected by heart disease,
but it’s the loss of her father, Paddy, to a
cardiac arrest over 10 years ago which has
inspired her to take on this challenge.
In 2007, whilst on maternity leave from her
clinical psychology training, Kirsty Horne
moved back into the family home to live with
her parents. One morning she found her
father unconscious.
She said: “I initially thought he was sleeping,
but soon
realised something was wrong. I tried CPR
with the help of my mother and younger
brother, who was only 15 at the time, but
when the paramedics arrived, he couldn’t
be revived. He was only 58, our whole
family were devastated and it’s never really
been the same since. It makes us so sad to
think that he never got to meet 9 of his 11
grandchildren.”
Kirsty now works in Cardiac Rehabilitation,
a programme to help people get back
on their feet after a heart attack or heart
surgery and other procedures. On April
22nd, she will join around 400 runners who
are uniting in the fight against heart disease by running the Virgin Money
London Marathon and will help the BHF raise close to a million pounds
towards pioneering heart research.
Kirsty said: “Working where I do has made me very aware of how
devastating cardiac disease can be and how many women are affected.
Until then I thought I was ‘immune’ because I was a female, despite heart
disease running in my family.”
Karen McDonnell, Events Manager at the BHF, added: “Around 685,000
people are living with cardiovascular disease in Scotland – by joining the
fight and running the marathon, Kirsty really will be helping us stop heart
disease in its tracks.”
Freeland Church
invite you to a Focus Rally on Saturday 19th May at 7pm
Guest Speaker : Andy Bathgate, CEO Scripture Union, Scotland
“The King of Love” with Freeland Praise Band. Meal provided.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger abounding in love.
Psalm 103 v8
RSVP Lesley Smith 07872 605099
deadline date for our june issue - Friday 18th May - You don’t want to miss it!!