£4000 raised from the Fochabers Gala is handed out to handful of good causes
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MONEY raised by the Fochabers Village Association at this summer's town gala has been handed out to good causes locally.
Nine groups have received a total of £3980, raised by July's gala, which was the first in the town since before the coronavirus pandemic in 2019.
Fochaber's Men Shed received £1000, Fochabers in Bloom got £400, while £300 went to local Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
Bellie and Speymouth Church and Fochabers Cricket Club both received £300 as well, with £250 for band Comhlan.
£220 went to St Mary's Church, £110 to Fochabers Heritage Trust and £100 to the Fochabers Branch of the SWI.
"We are delighted to be able to distribute local groups again, especially with cost-of-living crisis," Liz Rennie, the chair of the gala and events committee said.
"The groups are delighted to be getting the funds and we are delighted to give back to the community.
"That's the whole thing with the Fochabers Village Association – it's by the community for the community so we try to give monies raised back into charities that help the village."
The money was handed over to the requisite groups on Wednesday evening, before the club held its AGM.
As well as raising a great amount of funds, Fochabers Gala – which took place from July 29 to 31 – got people back out after the pandemic, Liz Rennie added.
"When we restarted in January 2021, it was quite a slow start and people were wary of coming out," she said.
"Once we got to the weekend, we were fortunate with the weather and people really supported the gala well.
"Since we have had a good number of new volunteers, who are coming with enthusiasm. So it's been a real success story."
Fochabers Village Association meet around seven or eight times per year – with people invited to attend.
"We encourage as many local folk as possible to come along to meetings so we can get that community engagement," Liz said.
After the success of the tombola night at the gala, Fochabers Village Association held a Christmas family tombola night on Friday, November 18.
Liz added: "It was incredibly successful. We made in the region of £1100.
"We were very fortunate to have a lot of support from local shops and businesses in terms of prizes, with all prizes coming from shops and businesses in Fochabers."
