By Hector Mackenzie

Copyright inverness-courier

THE life-changing impact of a Black Isle project set up to address gaps in care a decade ago was celebrated on the peninsula at the weekend.

The Black Isle Cares (BIC) 10th anniversary fun day was voted a resounding success with over 250 people coming together to celebrate a decade of BIC’s invaluable contributions to the area.

These now include a befriending and meals at home service; intergenerational activities with local schools and a community garden and larder in Fortrose.

It currently delivers services to the villages of Fortrose, Avoch, Roemarkie, Killen, Cromarty, Resolis, Culbokie, Tore, Munlochy and North Kessock.

The Meals at Home Service provides chilled meals, freshly prepared by local food outlets such as Crofters Restaurant, No. 19 and Highland Farm Café. Meals are delivered by BIC volunteers to various locations across the Black Isle three times a week.

The fun event was filled with excitement and activities for all ages, including soft play, a bouncy castle, live entertainment, chair exercise demonstration, trishaw rides, a water slide, courtesy of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and games.

Local food vendors, including the Muir Smokepit and Black Isle Dairy ice cream van, provided treats and talented local performers from the Melanie MacKay School of Dancing, Oliver Smith and Rod McKenzie kept everyone entertained while people were enjoying the tea and cake provided by a local church group.

In addition, several organisations that work in partnership with BIC, such as Highland Hospice, Raddery Trust, Cycling Without Age, Shop Mobility and Age Scotland, participated in the celebrations.

Staff and volunteers were also on hand to share information about BIC services and the various volunteering opportunities available within the organisation.

The event was a fantastic reminder of the strong community spirit that BIC has fostered over the past 10 years and will continue to cultivate in the years to come.

The event was opened by Lord Lieutenant of Ross & Cromarty, Joanie Whiteford, who was piped in by local piper Scott Rhynas.

In a poignant speech acknowledging the achievements of BIC’s 10 years of service and its significant role in providing support to vulnerable people across the Black Isle, Mrs Whiteford said: “I am sure I can see a huge heart hovering over the Fortrose area, with long arms enveloping all the communities and its residents, spreading not only love, but making a real and tangible difference to those living there.

“I see an enormous net binding all the many different services and activities carried out by the incredible trustees and volunteers of Black Isle Cares.”

She said the “wonderful group” had “morphed to cope with the changing needs of its services”.

She said trustees “are always looking at other ways to improve the lives of those living in the area, drawing in volunteers in enable them to function, attracting essential funds and looking to the future”.

Anne MacDonald, chair of Black Isle Cares, said the group was delighted at the support and interest with more than 250 people attending.

She thanked staff and volunteers for putting in a huge amount of work, adding: “I’m hoping a few more volunteers come forward so we can do it all again. Our AGM is in Fortrose Free Church at 7pm on Thursday, October 9. Please join us if you would like to hear more about or be more involved in Black Isle Cares.”

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