Rotary club hear touching tale about Ripple Retreat
Uplifting talk on how local man got involved with charity
Callander and West Perthshire Rotary Club welcomed guest speaker David Ferguson last week, who told of the sequence of events which led to his involvement in a new charitable venture in Callander, It’s Good 2 Give.
After spending a couple of weeks in Romania with a charitable organisation which provided support for carers from the UK, looking after children in an orphanage, David returned home with a strong desire to do something to help those less fortunate than himself.
Members listened to his vivid description of the distressing conditions he witnessed in the orphanage.
Three years later, David, who has a house overlooking Loch Venachar, got into conversation with a number of locals, which led him ultimately to a meeting with Lynne and Ian McNicoll.
Their charity - It’s Good 2 Give – was looking for a piece of land within easy travelling distance of Edinburgh hospitals, to fulfil their dream of building a respite centre for families with young cancer sufferers.
Lynne had formerly worked for the Teenage Cancer Trust and was awarded OBE for her services to children’s charities in Scotland in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
David then gifted a tranche of his land, at the lochside, and became involved in making the McNicoll’s dream a reality.
In May 2014 planning consent was granted for the building, designed by Tony Kettle, designer of the Falkirk Wheel.
The next hurdle was to acquire funding for the construction, a process hampered by both David and Lynne becoming seriously ill.
But thanks to an Antarctic trek undertaken by David’s son-in-law, and to the generosity of many suppliers who donated materials for the building, and contributions from a number of rugby personalities, the £1million project was fully funded by 2015.
Building conditions and the complexity of the design presented new challenges, but 18 months later, the stunning Ripple Retreat building was formally declared open by TV personality Lorraine Kelly.
President-Elect of the Rotary Club, Jen Shearer, said: “David told us that 1600 children in Scotland are diagnosed with cancer each year.
“The Ripple Retreat aims to offer families with young cancer-sufferers, and families who have
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Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers (around 45 minutes). Meet on Monday, June 26 at woollen mill car park at 10.20am for Duchray Castle (car share). Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@lochlomondtrossachs.org. Strength and balance For older adults, Mondays in the Forth Inn 12.15pm-1pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Yoga and mindfulness Classes in the Memorial Hall, Mondays 7.309pm. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996. Car boot sale Held on the last Saturday of each month 10am-2pm in front of the Scottish Wool Centre. Pitches are £10. To book a spot contact Chrissie on 01877 382584 or 07748 970672. Proceeds to charity. lost children to cancer, up to one week of peace, calm and relaxation.
The modern design, light, airy spaces and wide views over Loch Venachar make the Ripple
Strathard CAP launch The launch will take place simultaneously at Kinlochard Village Hall and Aberfoyle Memorial Hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am-4pm and will give local businesses, residents and stakeholders, the opportunity to come together for a special presentation to see how the views, needs and wants of the Strathard community will be delivered. Parish Church The Service on Sunday will be at the usual time of 11.15am with worship being conducted by Rev Dr Valerie Allan. St Mary’s Episcopal Church Main Street Aberfoyle 11.15am Holy Communion. All welcome. Rector, Richard Grosse 01877 382887. Retreat a very special, peaceful place. David acknowledged the contributions of all who had made its creation possible, and paid tribute particularly to Lynn and Ian McNicoll. The Loch
library. Take knitting/sewing/crafts. Bingo The Friday evening bingo will keep going through summer, every Friday at 8pm in the McLintock Hall. Parish Church Sunday morning worship will be led by Rev Jim Landels at 11.15am. Tea and coffee will be available in the church rooms after the service. Prayer group meeting is on Tuesday at 7pm. Lunch club meets on Thursday from noon in the church rooms and this will be the last one of the season. It will resume on Thursday September 7.
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Walking group Thursdays, 2-2.45pm, alternate weeks between Blanefield and Killearn. Call 07557 439111.
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Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and the architect Tony Kettles without whose vision this ‘impossible project’ would never have come to fruition.” Yoga In the village hall on Wednesdays, 9.30-10.30am. Contact Gillian on 01877 387201 or 07738 225996. Otago Adult strength and balance class, Tuesdays 11.30am-noon in village hall, cost £2. Info: 01786 448308.
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Walk in the park Led by trained volunteers. Lasts 15-45 minutes. Meet on Tuesday, June 27, at Ancaster Square at 10.20am for Flanders Moss and picnic (car share). On Wednesdays there is a town walk, meeting at Ancaster Square at 7pm. Contact Cathy Scott on 01877 330055 or email cathy.scott@lochlomondtrossachs.org. Strength and balance For older adults Tuesdays in the fire station,
2-3pm, followed by 10-minute walk. Car boot Tomorrow (Saturday) in St Joseph’s RC Church car park. For more info tel 01877 330359. Bridge Club Waverley Hotel, 6.50pm Wednesdays. Garden competition Entry forms for the community council best kept garden competition are available at the library in South Church Street. Judging is at the end of July until the start of August. Prizes will be presented at the annual horticultural show on August 26 in Callander Kirk Hall. Craigard Club The club is looking for volunteers to help with lunches. It meets on Tuesdays and help is required for an hour between 11.45am and 12.45pm. At present there are only one or two volunteers to help with the lunches. Contact Callander Kirk on 01877 331409 (Wednesday/Thursday 10am-1pm) or email callanderkirk@ btconnect.com if you can help.