Luing launches coping fund to help islanders
Luing has set up a coping with COVID-19 fund to help protect some of the island’s most vulnerable residents and keep volunteers in pocket.
Islanders are doing all they can to shield people and homes most at risk, but donations are needed to help reimburse volunteers for petrol expenses and to pay for other community needs as the pandemic continues.
Now the Atlantic Island Centre has shut its doors because of the virus, the Island Trust, which has been a helping-hand, has also lost its income and could struggle to help.
Making the appeal, Mary Whitmore said: ‘There could be real financial hardship ahead. There are a lot of vulnerable people and homes on the island that need shielding from the virus and there are people who have lost their incomes completely.
‘We have volunteers who are doing an amazing job but some of that work is costing them financially. We have set up the coping fund so we can rustle up help in an emergency and that includes reimbursing volunteers so they are not left out of pocket and struggling themselves.’
An island-wide planning group formed mid-March to help meet coronavirus issues head-on and a smaller steering group was launched from that.
For many, the island’s only shop has become their lifeline, with a network of volunteers picking up and delivering supplies to doors as well as collecting prescriptions daily from the ferry.
Volunteers have also been keeping people informed by producing newsletters and in a bid to help people feel less isolated, a Luing Listeners group has started up to buddy up residents for regular phone-ins.
‘We quickly realised we had a lot of people who could not get out of their homes anymore, not even to pop in to their neighbours. We didn’t want people to feel lonely, so that’s where the idea came to buddy people up with each other, if they wanted, to keep contact going. It’s a very anxious time for people but thankfully we have a merry band of volunteers who are doing their best to make sure everyone is as well and safe as they can be,’ said Mary.
Islanders with sewing skills have also been busy making face masks and they even have their own Facebook group so they can share ideas and modify designs.
‘It’s quite a cheery sight to see these lovely flowery masks going about Luing. People who have to go off-island are also taking them with them so we are spreading the care even further,’ said Mary.
The washable masks are being left out in sealed bags on walls around the island for postal workers, carers and volunteers to pick up and use.
The resourceful island has also enlisted the help of Whitetail Gin Distillery on Mull. ‘We didn’t have any hand sanitiser on Luing and by the time we got to Oban it had all gone, so we appreciated Whitetail coming to the rescue. They’re making it instead of gin at the moment and kindly sent us a batch over on CalMac,’ said Mary.
Community-spirited Luing took time last week to applaud NHS workers with a piper as part of the Clap for Carers campaign and islander Freya Fletcher was also treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday to mark her 18th.
Mary added: ‘We are lucky to live on such a lovely island and are hoping people who have a special place in their heart for Luing, including visitors and holidaymakers, will be among those who will give to the fund. We need their help.’
The Isle of Luing Community Trust has opened a bank account for the COVID-19 Coping Fund. The account number is 10294361, sort code 80 11 00.