News / Helicopter call out, Volunteers’ Week, gift bags distributed, emergency services distribute leaflets, Army to hold videolink event, sheep dog trials cancelled
THE SUMBURGH based search and rescue helicopter was called out early on Monday morning to airlift a sick worker off an oil industry survey ship around 100 nautical miles to the northeast of Shetland.
The casualty was transferred to the Clickimin landing site in Lerwick from where he was taken by ambulance to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
THIS year’s Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1 to 7 June, will celebrate the many local volunteers who rose to the Covid-19 challenge and ensured that vital services continued despite the pandemic.
Voluntary Action Shetland said that due to Covid-19 it was unable to mark Volunteers’ Week in the usual way and is instead appealing on the community to get in touch to share thank yous and stories of volunteering.
Volunteer support worker Kathleen Williamson said: “We’re asking everyone to get involved and to show their appreciation to volunteers; this might be your neighbour, who you hardly saw before this crisis, but who’s now getting your shopping.
“Or it might be someone re-training to provide a vital service such as online befriending and supporting those with major health issues or who are feeling lonely. We are so proud to recognise the efforts of Scotland’s volunteers and want you to join us in thanking them.”
She can be contacted via e-mail Kathleen.Williamson@shetland.gov.uk or Voluntary Action Shetland Facebook page. Thank you messages will be shared via the charity’s Facebook page during Volunteers’ Week.
KAREN Fraser of Shetland Care Attendant Scheme has spent the weekend distributing more than 40 gift bags to carers and service users in a bid to brighten up people’s lives during the current period of social isolation.
The Market House based charity had received funding for the initiative from the Corra Foundation.
Fraser said: “The response from the carers and service users has been great. It’s been so rewarding and heart warming which has made it all worthwhile.”
The bags also contained handmade facemasks donated by Ghufar Razaq from the Shetland Community Fund.
FIREFIGHTERS and coastguard rescue officers will be out and about in Lerwick today (Monday) and Tuesday to hand out leaflets containing information on where to get help during the coronavirus pandemic.
They will be delivering the leaflets to all houses in the town in partnership with Voluntary Action Shetland and Women’s Aid.
The firefighters and coastguard rescue officers will be adhering to social distancing measures and current NHS guidelines by frequently using soap and water and hand sanitisers.
The Lerwick fire station encouraged people to “give us a smile and a wave if you see us during the leaflet drop”.
Lerwick Community Council, meanwhile, said it was “very grateful for everyone who is helping the community at this time”.
THE ARMY is inviting Shetlanders to take part in a video experiment after plans to visit Lerwick to mark VE day were thwarted by coronavirus.
Determined to stay connected, the army has now developed an innovative video version of a presentation on the role of the modern army that was intended to be held at Lerwick Town Hall earlier this month.
Army Scotland’s head of engagement Lt Col Gordon Mackenzie said: “We were sad to postpone it, but at least we can now still give Shetlanders a presentation on what the army is all about.”
The presentation will be live over the internet at 11am on Friday 22 May. Viewers will be able to type in questions for the army presenters.
People can take part by visiting https://virtualbroadcast.yourarmy.co.uk/ Registration in advance is recommended and a recording of the event will be made available at the site afterwards.
FOUR of Shetland’s six sheep dog trial events have now been cancelled following advice from the UK Government and the International Sheep Dog Society.
The four trials which will not take place due to movement and non-essential travel restrictions are Tingwall, Westside, Yell and Fetlar.
Committees in Northmavine and the south end have delayed a decision on whether to cancel their events.
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