top of page
Search

SLCVO Blog 04 September

  • joford4
  • 5 minutes ago
  • 6 min read

This week, SLCVO is looking at some of the fundraising groups and charities making a difference to local communities and beyond.


Across Skye and Lochalsh, volunteers give thousands of hours each year to support causes that matter to local people. From improving healthcare facilities and supporting people affected by cancer to enhancing play opportunities for children and funding music education, community fundraising groups play a vital role in strengthening our communities.

 

Many of these organisations operate quietly behind the scenes, raising money, organising events, applying for funding and bringing people together around a common cause. Their efforts help sustain services, create opportunities and improve quality of life for residents across the area.

 

 

What Are Friends Groups

Many people will be familiar with local Friends groups but may not know exactly how they operate.

 

Friends groups are usually independent charities or community organisations established to support a specific local service, facility or organisation. They are most commonly connected to hospitals, care homes, schools, parks or other important community assets.

 

Although they work closely with the organisations they support, Friends groups are normally governed by their own volunteer committees. Committee members oversee fundraising, decision making, financial management and the overall direction of the organisation.

 

These groups play an important role in helping services go beyond what can be provided through regular budgets alone. Through fundraising, volunteering and community support they help provide equipment, facilities, activities and opportunities that might not otherwise be available.

 

At their heart, Friends groups bring community members together around a shared goal and create a practical way for local people to make a positive difference.

 

Friends of An Acarsaid Care Home

Friends of An Acarsaid Care Home exists to enhance the lives of residents living within the care home and to support the work of staff.

 

The charity helps provide additional experiences, activities and resources that improve the quality of life for residents. Fundraising events, donations and volunteer support all contribute towards creating a warm, stimulating and supportive environment.

 

The organisation reflects the strong community spirit that exists across Skye, helping residents remain connected to their community while supporting the care home to provide enriching opportunities.

 

Find Out More

  • Facebook: Friends of An Acarsaid Care Home

 

Friends of Broadford Hospital

Friends of Broadford Hospital is a volunteer-led fundraising group dedicated to supporting healthcare services in south Skye.

 

The group organises a wide range of community fundraising activities including cafes, raffles, craft fairs and local events. Funds raised help provide additional equipment and resources that benefit both patients and staff.

 

Their work demonstrates how local communities can directly support healthcare services and help enhance the patient experience.

 

Find Out More

 

Friends of Portree Hospital

For many years Friends of Portree Hospital has played an important role in supporting healthcare services in north Skye.

 

The charity raises funds to purchase equipment and improve facilities that benefit patients, visitors and healthcare professionals. Previous projects have included furnishing patient spaces, purchasing equipment and supporting training opportunities.


The organisation's work helps improve comfort and wellbeing for patients while also supporting staff and service development.

 

Find Out More

 

Friends of Plockton Music School

Friends of Plockton Music School supports one of Scotland's most distinctive music education programmes.

 

The charity works to ensure young musicians can access opportunities that help them develop their talents and progress their musical ambitions. Through fundraising and community support, the organisation contributes to specialist learning experiences and activities that enrich the student experience.

 

The group plays an important role in sustaining an educational programme that has produced talented musicians and performers for decades.

Find Out More

 

Friends of Plockton Playpark

Friends of Plockton Playpark is dedicated to maintaining and improving local play facilities for children and families.

 

The group brings together volunteers and supporters who share a commitment to ensuring local children have access to safe, enjoyable and inclusive outdoor spaces. Through fundraising and community involvement they help invest in equipment, maintenance and future improvements.

 

Their efforts contribute to healthier lifestyles, greater community interaction and valuable opportunities for children to play and socialise.

 

Find Out More

 

Skye Cancer Care

Skye Cancer Care provides practical, emotional and financial support to people affected by cancer throughout Skye and Lochalsh.

 

A cancer diagnosis can affect every aspect of life, creating challenges not only for individuals but also for families and carers. The charity works to reduce some of these pressures by offering local support tailored to individual circumstances.

 

As a locally based charity, community fundraising is essential to its work. Donations and volunteer efforts help ensure that people facing cancer can access support close to home when they need it most.

 

Over the years the charity has become a trusted source of help and reassurance for many local families during difficult times.

 

Find Out More

 

Cancer Research UK Isle of Skye Branch

The Isle of Skye Branch of Cancer Research UK supports one of the world's leading cancer research charities through local fundraising activities.

 

Volunteers organise events throughout the year to raise money that helps fund research into cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Every coffee morning, raffle, sponsored challenge and community event contributes towards improving outcomes for people affected by cancer.

 

Local supporters play an important role in helping fund the groundbreaking research that continues to save and improve lives.

 

Find Out More

 

Macmillan Cancer Support Lochalsh Glenelg and Skye

The Lochalsh, Glenelg and Skye Macmillan fundraising group helps raise money for one of the UK's best known cancer support charities.

 

Through local fundraising activities, volunteers help generate funds that enable Macmillan to provide practical, emotional, financial and physical support to people living with cancer and their families.

 

The group's work helps connect local communities with a national network of support and expertise, ensuring that people affected by cancer can access guidance and assistance when they need it most.

 

Find Out More

 

Lucky2BHere

Lucky2BHere has become widely recognised for its life-saving work across Scotland, including support provided within local communities across Skye and Lochalsh.

 

The charity raises funds to provide defibrillators, medical equipment and emergency life support training. Defibrillators supplied by the organisation can be found in villages, community facilities, workplaces, schools and sports clubs across the country.

 

By combining equipment provision with practical training, Lucky2BHere empowers ordinary people with the skills and confidence needed to respond during medical emergencies.

 

Its contribution to community resilience has helped save lives and strengthened local preparedness across many rural communities.

Find Out More

 

Skye Older People's Welfare Committee and the Budhmor Fund

The Skye Older People's Welfare Committee is one of the area's longest established community charities.

Through the Budhmor Fund, the organisation distributes grants to community groups and voluntary organisations whose work benefits older people and people with disabilities across Skye.

 

Funding has helped support a wide range of projects including community activities, equipment purchases, wellbeing initiatives and services that help reduce isolation and improve quality of life.

 

The charity continues to play an important role in supporting grassroots organisations and helping communities develop services that enable older people to remain active, connected and supported.

 

Find Out More

 

The Power of Community Fundraising

The organisations highlighted in this blog represent only a small sample of the incredible fundraising activity taking place across Skye and Lochalsh.

 

Across our communities, volunteers support mountain rescue services, lifeboat charities, village halls, heritage projects, sports clubs, youth groups, community gardens and countless other local initiatives. Many of these organisations rely heavily on fundraising and donations to sustain their work.

 

Behind every successful event is a dedicated group of people willing to give up their time, energy and expertise for the benefit of others. Whether organising a coffee morning, hosting a raffle, running a sponsored challenge or serving on a committee, these volunteers help create stronger, healthier and more resilient communities.

 

Their efforts do much m ore than raise money. They bring people together, foster local pride, strengthen community connections and ensure valued services continue to thrive.

SLCVO would like to thank all the volunteers, fundraisers, trustees and supporters who contribute so much to community life across Skye and Lochalsh. Their commitment makes a real difference every day and helps ensure our communities remain vibrant, caring and connected places to live.

 

If you would like to learn more about local groups, volunteering opportunities or community organisations in your area, visit the SLCVO website and Skye and Lochalsh Information Hub to discover the many ways you can get involved.

 


Blog produced with the support of Microsoft Copilot

 
 
 

Comments

© 2023 by THE HOPE CENTER. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page