Volunteers needed to help at Blairgowrie Highland Games

A call has been made for supporters to safeguard the future of Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games.

Organisers of the event, which will go ahead in September, have issued a plea for volunteers and committee members and warned there is a danger next year’s gathering will not happen unless locals come forward to share the load.

Ally Donald, who will chair this year’s gathering, said the family day out relied on a great deal of community spirit to make it happen.

“At present, the games are run by a very small amount of people who all have busy lives with family and work commitments,” he said.

“We really need more people – young and old, male or female – to come forward if they think they could help out in any way.

“We need more helpers, more committee members and new office bearers to come forward. If enough people support us then it helps to spread the load a bit, and the more people who come on board the less there is for everyone to do.”

Mr Donald said the community needed to face the “sad, harsh reality” that there might not be any Highland games next year in Blairgowrie and Rattray unless enough volunteers get involved.

“It takes a lot of hard work from our dedicated volunteers who give up some of their spare time to put these games together so that local residents and visitors to the town can enjoy a family day out,” he added.

“The Highland games have been on the go for many years now, having restarted in the 1980s, and are a great day out for all the family.”

For more information, email ally.donald@btinternet.com or phone 07732 827362.