‘Help us out’ race night plea from The Place in Alness
AN Easter Ross youth group which has made a life-changing difference to hundreds of local youngsters has issued a heartfelt plea for local support ahead of a major fundraiser tonight.
Staff and volunteers at The Place in Alness have just finished delivering a costly seven-week summer holiday programme from which hundreds of local children benefited.
The third sector organisation, which receives no statutory funding, has been credited with offering a safe space for young people, many of whom have gone on to thank volunteers for the impact they have made on their lives.
Amongst them is recent Alness Academy leaver Sophie Hynd who previously devised a holiday play scheme for the group and went on to win the prestigious Youth Volunteer of the Year accolade at the Highland Third Sector Awards.
Sophie, who was also named head girl at Alness Academy, has volunteered for The Place since 2018, is preparing to study law at Aberdeen University. The teenager, who intends continuing to volunteer with The Place in holiday periods, said: “I’m entirely grateful to work within such a remarkable organisation which has ultimately helped shape the person I am today.”
And now she is spearheading a fundraising evening in the community space known as The Field in a bid to help pay forward her gratitude.
A race night she has organised within a stretch tent at The Field this Friday aims to help recoup some of the summer expenses the group incurred.
She said: “I decided to raise funds for The Place as we have had an extremely busy summer which ended up costing the charity a huge sum of money.
“We ended up having a lot of support from local businesses to sponsor races and horses which is the focal point of the event. We hope that parents whose children have used our services over the years will help us by supporting our event on Friday at The Field.
“I recently completed my sixth year at Alness Academy as head girl and I am going to study law at the University of Aberdeen next month. I started volunteering with The Place six years ago - the charity means a lot to me. It has solidified my knowledge and understanding as a youth worker and provided me with many skills and opportunities to grow.
“Although, I am moving down to Aberdeen, I will continue to work with The Place remotely and pick up shifts in holidays.”
It’s one of a number of fundraisers organised by the group’s young people. Jamie Dickson, Harry Urquhart and Ami Clark are doing a sponsored walk up Fyrish.
The group posted: “It’s not often we ask for help or even share our concerns however I am appealing to all those that have used The Place over the years to support us please!
“As a third sector organisation we receive no statutory funding which means we have struggled to find money on many, many occasions. We always try and provide a completely free service for all our young people or at least make sure no young person ever misses out.
“Over the years we have become more and more involved in providing community events and having our youngsters help deliver things such as play schemes, Christmas fayres, residentials, workshops, drop ins, Wee Blethers, The Field and firework displays. We have worked tirelessly to find the money to deliver all these things.
“We are now struggling. Our amazing young people have recognised this and off their own backs have gone ahead and organised some fundraising events.”
It appealed for support for Sophie “one of our amazing young people” who has organised the race night in The Field. It said: “Sponsors have been amazing but we need bums on the seats on the night.”
Tickets costing just £5 can be purchased through Drop In or The Place Facebook Page and gates open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Further details have been posted on the group’s Facebook page.
See today’s Ross-shire Journal for photos from The Place’s most recent seven-week summer playscheme.
