Community Activities
The team at M.L. Williams in Ayr, Scotland, have undertaken not one but two big charity challenges to raise funds to go towards purchasing an Acheeva Learning Station Bed for South Craig School, which accommodates children with additional support needs.
The school is attended by Dylan who is the brother-in-law of Funeral Service Operative David Hiddleston. Due to the nature of Dylan’s condition he is fully dependent and requires lots of positional changes throughout the day.
The M.L. Williams family know Dylan well as he lives with employee David and his wife Claire, who takes care of Dylan twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
So when news reached the branch that Dylan had outgrown the junior size Acheeva beds in his school the team sprang into action. Funeral Director Fraser Mackay said: “We decided to embark on a number of fundraising ventures to raise money for an adult bed so Dylan could once again get all the support and physiotherapy he requires.”
On 4 March the M.L. Williams team, joined by Area Development Manager Tara Cameron’s partner Jarrod and David’s daughter Holly, cycled an 11 mile round-trip around the scenic Isle of Cumbrae.
But this was a cycle ride like no other! The group used a conference bike which seats seven people and has no gears. Administrator Lorraine Gordon who helped pedal the bike said: “It was a very slow process and tough going, but worth it for such a great cause.”
With energy replenished staff, joined by family and friends, then embarked on a climb of Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran on 29 April.
Standing at a height of 2,866 feet, the peak proved quite the challenge but all the team made it to the top and down again in seven hours. Tara said: “It was a hard but enjoyable day with a lot of laughter and team building. We made sure we celebrated at the top with a sneaky glass of bubbly!”
All together the two events received over £2,500 in donations and helped raise the £4,500 in total needed to buy the Acheeva bed.
David commented: “This is a great achievement from all concerned. My wife Claire is an amazing sister to Dylan and, even though she has a lot to deal with, she has tirelessly fundraised.
“A massive thank you to my colleagues and friends at M.L. Williams for your support, Dylan’s new bed will have such a positive effect on his life and in additional will benefit other children at his school as they grow too.”