Youngsters have a ball as Helen hosts another family fun day

Kintyre's first lady of fundraising pulled off yet another fun-filled day of entertainment for all the family.

 

"attachment_966121" "aligncenter" "300"] Three-year-old Callie Sharp was among the many youngsters who queued to get their faces painted.

 

Following the success of last year's ‘Party at the Base’ – a post pandemic gathering of the community following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions – Helen Gilchrist organised another children's fun day, which took place at Machrihanish last Saturday afternoon.

 

"attachment_965998" "aligncenter" "300"] Four bouncy castles from Argyll Inflatables proved to be a hit with youngsters.

 

Helen, who earned the Rotary Club of Campbeltown's Citizen of the Year award in 2019 for her work organising charity quizzes, became a huge support for people during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

 

People from around the world with a connection to Campbeltown tuned in to her quarantine quizzes which were streamed online from her Facebook group named ‘The Jolly Monday Show’.

 

The first was meant to be a one-off but it proved so popular that Helen ended up holding quizzes weekly for several months.

 

"attachment_290902" "aligncenter" "300"] Helen Gilchrist's online quizzes during the Covid-19 pandemic were a social lifeline for many.

 

More than £14,000 was raised after participants asked Helen to set up a GoFundMe page so they could ‘pay’ to take part, most of which was donated to charities and local causes but Helen kept some aside to fund an event for the community's children, who she felt coped so well with all the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

 

The ‘Party at the Base’, which featured fair rides, a flight simulator, inflatables, a climbing wall, a ball pit, bungee trampolines, face painting and photobooths, went ahead at Machrihanish Airbase Community Business Park in July last year.

 

"attachment_751822" "aligncenter" "300"] Enjoying last year's Party at the Base: Maida, William and Eilidh Walker, with their mum Dorothy Ralston and granny Margaret Ralston.

 

It proved to be such a hit that Helen decided to host another fun day this year, albeit on a smaller scale, now that life has largely returned to normal following the pandemic.

 

The event for nursery and primary school aged children was held between Machrihanish Village Hall and the field beside the nearby play park.

 

"attachment_966007" "aligncenter" "300"] Michelle MacMillan and daughters Sienna and Laila has a blast at the family fun day.

 

The main attraction was a range of inflatables and bouncy castles from Dunoon-based Argyll Inflatables, and the queue for Funky Chicken's face-painting lasted until the end of the afternoon – both of which were free for the children.

 

"attachment_966013" "aligncenter" "300"] Naeve McNeill requested to have her face painted as a purple cat.

 

Thanks to many generous donations from local people and businesses, including the Co-op, Tesco and The Ugadale Hotel, every child in attendance was offered a free hot dog, crisps and juice.

 

"attachment_965995" "aligncenter" "300"] Brothers Addie, Ollie and Findlay Graham helped give out goodies in the hall.

 

In addition to some money left over after last year's party, Helen organised a football card fundraiser to fund the event.

 

“It was a great day,” she told the Courier afterwards, “the kids had a ball.

 

“It’s amazing how the community comes together – folk were handing in hot dogs for weeks before, McFadyens Contractors helped us out with a generator and West Coast Motors put on a bigger bus to get folk out to the event.”

 

"attachment_966004" "aligncenter" "300"] The event was fun for all the family: Kayleigh McNeill and her mum Frances wait while little sister Naeve has her face painted.

 

Helen added: “A big thank you to everyone who came and supported the fun day and Val Graham for letting us use the hall and playing field.”

 

"attachment_966016" "aligncenter" "300"] Youngsters chose to be transformed into many creatures through face paints.

 

The event wasn't just for fun, it was also for a good cause, with £1,000 raised through a lucky squares board to be donated to The Beatson Cancer Charity.