Sun and local stars shine for Oban Charities Day 2018
It’s not every day you can throw a wet sponge at a police officer and get away with it, but for one pound you could get three attempts at this year’s Oban Charities Day.
Youth engagement officer Claire Brown didn’t back down from getting splattered in the face – probably because the sun was scorching and it was a welcome chance to cool down.
More than 40 charities had a stall at this year’s event, raising thousands of pounds for their respective causes.
Bottle stalls, burgers, and a parade featuring the characters from Monsters Inc, including the door, were all highlights on the day.
Charities Day is organised by the Oban and Lorn Lions Club. Speaking to The Oban Times following Saturday’s event, club member Jim Edge said: ‘The day went brilliantly and the parade was as great as ever.
‘There were 42 stalls on Saturday. It gives [the charities] the opportunity to raise money for themselves – and it was busy. There was certainly as many people as we normally get.
Thank you
‘Everyone involved – from the pipe band, the police, and the council – everyone makes this day work. They deserve a big thank you.’
One happy charity was the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Maurice Wilkins of the trust wrote to The Oban Times saying: ‘[Our] stall on Charities Day was a great success. The threatened thunderstorm and rain didn’t materialise. We raised more than £300.’
The good weather held out just long enough for the Lions and a group of helpers to dismantle the stalls before the heavens opened.
The organisation wanted to show its appreciation to everyone who helped with the event.
‘Thanks a million to all the people that turned up in the morning,’ Jim added. ‘We asked if people could come down and help us set the thing up - usually there’s a dozen of us and it takes us forever to do it.
‘It was amazing the amount of people that turned up from all different places. It was absolutely fantastic. It shows the way it works in the town – everyone is community minded and if you need some help, it’s there.’
The Oban and Lorn Lions Club’s next big event is the raft rsace, which takes place on August 11.