Garden party raises £3000 for children’s shelter in South Africa

Aug 14 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

Garden party raises £3000 for children’s shelter in South Africa

QUARTER Parish Church was the venue on Saturday for a garden party that raised £3000 for a children’s shelter in South Africa.

Between 180 and 200 people attended the event organised by the minister of the church, Rev George MacDonald, and his wife Monica.

Villagers and members of other Hamilton churches were joined by South Lanarkshire Provost Russell Clearie and his wife, councillor Pam Clearie, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Gilbert Cox and Larkhall councillor Jackie Burns.

Mrs MacDonald welcomed people to the event and there were words in support of the charity from Provost Clearie.

Entertainment was provided by Bellshill and District Concert Brass Band, Tuxedo Junction, and singer Kate Strachan and accompanist David Black.

There was also a musical offering provided by visitors from the MacDonalds’ home country of South Africa.

Money raised at the gathering will go to a children’s shelter, called Place of Restoration, on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

The shelter looks after 60 children ranging from babies to teenagers. Most are HIV positive and some have full-blown AIDs.

Mr and Mrs MacDonald have been linked to the Place of Restoration for eight years and have been holding annual fund-raising garden parties in aid of the centre since they arrived in Quarter in 2004.

Mrs MacDonald thanked those who attended and said the £3000 was the highest amount they had so far raised from the garden party.