Published: Wednesday, 20th August, 2008 12:30pm

Fundraising fairies help Peru's street kids

by Kevin McRoberts

Some of the fancy dress fairies who attended the fundraising event at Menstrie Parish Church hall.
Pic by: David Robertson

KIND-HEARTED fairies who gathered for a fundraising day in Menstrie have helped bring a little happiness into the lives of street children in Peru.

A charity event in the village"s parish church hall – which included a coffee day, sale of goods and an auction – helped raise a fantastic £3900 for the Vine Trust, an organisation working with the poor and destitute in the South American country.

The event was organised by Betty Winkley who, over the last six years, has helped raise over £22,000 for the Vine Trust, a charity founded by her brother Albert Bogle, the minister of a church in Bo"ness.

One of the highlights of Saturday"s activities was the "fairy dress competition" which was entered by many little girls from in and around the Menstrie area.

And there was also a fancy dress competition, which was won by Aiden Halley.

Betty said, 'I"m so grateful to everyone who helped out and attended Saturday"s event. The money raised will go such a long way to helping the poor street children in Peru.'

The auction alone raised £2200, with Betty"s son Jonathan acting as auctioneer.

Many generous local businesses from throughout Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Bridge of Allan donated items for auction, including specially-designed handmade clocks, floral arrangements and restaurant vouchers.

Betty continued, 'We would never have raised so much money without the generosity of the many shops who kindly gave donations. They helped make it a successful day.

'And all the fairies looked beautiful too. The judges Karyn Evely, Joyce Whitelaw and Gerty Gunn decided they all deserved to be winners, so they all received prizes.'

Betty has held similar fundraising days at her own house in previous years, but was grateful for the support of Menstrie Parish Church, and the use of the church hall, for this year"s event. She was also full of praise for long-term helpers Avril McDermott, Wilma Irving, John Graham, her daughter-in-law Dana Winkley, her sons Jonathan and Douglas, husband Douglas and numerous other friends and supporters who assisted this year and in previous years.

The Vine Trust started out 25 years ago as a charity helping homeless people in Edinburgh, and raised money through a charity shop in Bo"ness called Branches.

Since then the charity has 'branched out' and now provides much-needed help on the other side of the world too.

One of the many projects undertaken by the Trust was providing a ship, complete with medical team, which sailed up the Amazon providing much needed care and treatment to sick and disabled people in the area.

More information about the Vine Trust can be found on the charity"s website at www.vinetrust.org.

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