Mull blings it on!
MESS Island Castaways and MICT help bring Christmas cheer to Mull
When Covid called off a catwalk date on Mull, the fashion show’s organisers decided to declare a Bling It On Mull day instead.
Organised by MESS Island Castaways charity shops with help from Mull and Iona Community Trust, the event on December 4 was all about blinging it up, getting festive, celebrating acts of kindness and spreading happiness.
MESS – Island Castaways is Revolve certified, Revolve is the re-use quality standard for shops who sell second-hand goods in Scotland and is awarded by Zero Waste Scotland.
Craignure’s Island Castaways shop set up a whole area dedicated to #BlingItOnMull determined to bring a sprinkle of sparkle and cheer.
West Coast Motors joined in the fun too on the day, decking out its Tobermory bus and raising smiles on route.
Also helping bling it up were lights from the Craignure Bay Committee, a twinkly fairy trail and an appearance of Christmassy Spoonville characters.
Islanders were invited to carry out acts of kindness, such as calling on family to say ‘hello’, baking treats to share with friends and neighbours, or just wearing something a bit more ‘bling’ than normal. Everyone really rose to the challenge.
Emily Greenhalgh who was one of the organisers said: ‘Bling it on Mull was conceived by Revolve certified MESS-Island Castaways as a Covid safe way to spread some cheer after their annual fashion show was cancelled. It began as a way to dress up or decorate something sparkly but snowballed into a day of kindness and festive spirit. After being organised in under a month by two MESS staff and a volunteer, it was grasped by the community with everyone using it as a great opportunity to have some fun and do something kind after a rotten year.
‘We had a Christmas fairy trail in Craignure, vehicles including the West Coast double decker were decorated, the schools ran activities, the shop staff dressed up and many individuals and even animals dressed up and did kind deeds all over the island. After intending it as a one off for 2020 there have been whispers about doing it again next year and getting even bigger.’