READERS’ LETTERS

Proud to be part Scottish

Sir, – I watch all of Craig’s late late show every day on the CBS site.

I’ve never seen him say anything derogatory about his home town or Scotland.

As a matter of fact before he left he said he was going to visit one of the two greatest countries in the world, Scotland and America.

By the way I along with most people in the state of Kentucky, USA have Scottish roots. My family came here in the 1700’s at a time fights with Indians were still going on. I’m proud to be part Scottish.

Kentucky is much like Scotland with its mountains and water ways. While exploring Google Earth I discovered there’s a street named after my ancestors (Skirving Street) with small shops etc. – Yours etc.,

DONALD SKIRVIN

45 Buck Court

Fairfield, Ohio 5014

P.S. You have a very nice newspaper

Kilsyth gardens raise charity cash

Sir, – Through the Chronicle, we would like to let people know that the two gardens in Kilsyth open under ‘Scotland’s Gardens’ at the weekend raised an impressive sum for charity. Aeolia and Blackmill in Allanfauld Road were open to the public on Sunday, May 20 and thanks to our generous visitors and supporters, we raised over £1,600.

All of the money raised will go to charity: 40 per cent to Strathcarron Hospice and 60 per cent to the SG charities (Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres, The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, Perennial and The Gardens Fund of the National Trust for Scotland).

Many thanks to everyone who came along and took advantage of the sunshine to support this worthwhile cause and thanks also to all those involved on the day and to the family, friends and neighbours whose help and support through the year is greatly appreciated. – Yours etc.,

FIONA MURDOCH

via e-mail

Children love swimming

Sir, – I’m backing a campaign to prioritise the sport that saves lives after shocking new statistics show a third of children cannot swim the required 25 metres by the time they leave primary school.

The report by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and Kellogg’s, shows of those children unable to swim, 39 per cent have never been offered school swimming lessons despite it being a statutory element of the National Curriculum.

This means around 200,000 children will leave primary school this summer unable to swim with 75,000 of them never having the opportunity to learn the life-saving, life-enhancing skill.

With drowning the third most common cause of accidental death of children in England and the number of deaths increasing year on year by 35 per cent, it’s vital that the government and schools prioritise swimming lessons as a matter of urgency.

Children love swimming and it’s a great way to start them on the road to a healthy and active lifestyle. Swimming is also the only subject on the national curriculum that can save your life so it’s essential that Government, schools and parents join us in taking action and break the cycle before we create a generation of non-swimmers unable to pass on this life-saving skill to their children in the future.

Kellogg’s is announcing a funding package of £100,000, which can be used for school swimming projects that will help to increase the number of children learning to swim in the areas that need it most.

If you’re interested in applying for funding, please visit www.swimming.org/learntoswim – Yours etc.,

STEVE PARRY

Kellogg Marketing and Sales Company (UK) Limited

The Kellogg Building,

Talbot Road, Manchester

Be epilepsy aware

Sir, – Great achievements start with small steps so in this Olympic year Epilepsy Scotland challenges you to be epilepsy aware. Try our online National Epilepsy Week (May 21-26) quiz and reap rewards by being better informed whether you work, rest or play.

Champion hurdler Dai Greene intends to raise the bar on what’s achievable for people with epilepsy. So can you. Apply for our epilepsy best practice certificate so your workplace can proudly display its commitment to employees who have epilepsy.

Go ahead, be a winner and make the most of this year’s golden opportunities to raise awareness. Over 54,000 people in Scotland with this common serious neurological condition will be cheering you on! Get a best practice certificate at www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk or call our Freephone helpline on 0808 800 2200. – Yours etc.,

ALLANA M. PARKER

Public Affairs Officer

Epilepsy Scotland

48 Govan Road

Glasgow G51 1JL

Benefit cuts will hit most vulnerable in society

Sir, – It should come as no surprise that the impact of benefits cuts will hit the most vulnerable in our society the hardest.

Along with other organisations, Shelter Scotland has been warning of the dire consequences caused by the perfect storm of welfare reform, severe austerity measures and an ailing economy.

To see MSPs predicting that the UK Government’s reforms will lead to a rise in homelessness, more children living in poverty and disabled people’s lives made harder, I have to ask, where is the fairness in all this?

Shelter Scotland will continue to be there for those who need expert housing advice. Our worry is that, with these cuts leading to increased hardship, our best efforts and those of others in the advice sector will only scratch at the surface of the problem. – Yours etc.,

GORDON MACRAE

Head of Communications and Policy

Shelter Scotland, Scotiabank House

6 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh

UK’s first static bungee jump

Sir, – Deafblind and Disabled charity Sense Scotland are proud to announce a new fundraising event, the UKs first static Bungee Jump!

Working with Bungee Jump Scotland, the charity is giving you the chance to bungee from the Garry Bridge, Pitlochry, on Sunday, July 29.

Community and events fundraiser, Erin Leggate, explains more: “We’ve done zip slides and abseils in the past and the response has been terrific, so this year we were looking for something new and the bungee jump fits the bill! Bungee Jump Scotland are classed as Bungee Masters so everyone will be in very safe hands, I’ve even signed up for it and will be in some form of fancy dress!”

The charity provides support to children and adults with disabilities throughout Scotland, providing opportunities for individuals to lead full, independent and rewarding lives. Erin goes on: “I’ve been with Sense Scotland for three years and I’m very lucky to see first-hand the difference people’s sponsorship money makes to thousands of lives.”

The event takes place on Sunday, July 29, and to book, participants pay a £10 deposit with a £150 sponsorship target. No previous experience is necessary as all the equipment and instruction will be given on the day. For more information, or for a sponsorship pack, please call Erin on 0141 429 0294, or visit www.sensescotland.org.uk – Yours etc.,

ERIN LEGGATE

Sense Scotland

TouchBase

43 Middlesex Street

Kinning Park

Glasgow