Articles by Stuart McFarlane

Health

Young carers among those set to benefit from Observer festive toy appeal

Stirling’s community is rallying once again to ensure children and young people facing a host of difficulties will at least have a better festive season. Not only does the appeal exist to ensure no child goes without a gift on Christmas morning, it also aims to show vulnerable and disadvantaged young people – and their families – that their community and neighbours care. Appeal co-ordinator, Kaiya Marjoribanks, said: “Every year we acknowledge that part of the reason for the appeal is to show youngsters and their families that their community is not oblivious to their struggles and admires their bravery. “This is not just about giving a child or young person a gift to open – it’s about making them and their parents or carers feel less isolated. “Christmas is often a time when many children and their families feel more isolated than ever as they see others apparently enjoying activities while they feel on the sidelines. “That can be for financial reasons, illness or disability or personal circumstances. “That’s why we strive to provide toys and gifts to as many local charities and good causes as possible. It’s also a thank you to these organisations and support avenues for the work they do all year round. “Stirling Young Carers, for example, has been involved in the appeal since 2008. “Young people with caring responsibilities miss out on a great deal, and many of them saw their caring roles increase massively over the pandemic, but the charity does an incredible job of supporting them. “Being able to give these terrific young people a gift helps to acknowledge that their efforts are recognised and admired by the wider community, and that people really do care for carers. “Many other organisations and charities have been involved from the beginning, but also over the years we have been able to bring on more, including many local community groups and foodbanks. “This year we are receiving even more requests from new organisations hoping to help children and families by getting involved. “Whatever the reasons that children may need our help, the one common denominator is that none of them have any control over their circumstances, so it’s up to those of us who can help to lighten their load.” Running since 2008, the appeal receives and distributes donations of new toys and gifts for sick, disabled, needy and disadvantaged children and young people aged from newborn babies right up to teenagers. Collected with the kind support of a host of drop-off points across the area, the gifts are distributed via a wide range of charities, large and small. Among the many charities and good causes which help to distribute the gifts every year are: Stirling Young Carers; Home-Start Stirling which supports families with young children going through difficult times; Stirling Women’s Aid; Stirling Council social services; HMP Stirling and Glenochil Family Support Hubs; FVRH children’s ward; Support4Families, which helps families affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol misuse; and more. In recent years several groups and foodbanks set up by local volunteers in the Observer circulation area including CRAG (Cowie), Polmaise Community Council, and Love in a Box, have also been able to receive toys from the appeal for children and families they support, and other one off requests have been fulfilled. If you would like to organise a collection of gifts at your workplace, school or group, would like to be one of our official drop-off points, or would simply like more information, email news@stirlingobserver.co.uk or kaiyamarjoribanks@yahoo.com We will aim to photograph and feature as many collections as possible in the Observer in the run-up to Christmas. Toys and gifts – Gifts should be new and unused and left unwrapped to allow charities to choose for individual children. Cuddly toys should be kept to a minimum if possible as some charities have difficulty placing these for health and hygiene reasons. Vouchers – Since the Covid pandemic, we have also given the option of donating gift cards and vouchers to offer some flexibility to both those donating and to the charities. These can be sent to Stirling Observer Give A Gift Appeal, c/o Stirling Observer, Give A Gift Appeal, Reach PLC, 55 Douglas Street, Glasgow, G2 7NP. Please include details of the value of the gift card or voucher. If you would like a confirmation of receipt, please provide your name and postal address or email address. Drop-off points include: STIRLING – Morrisons supermarket, Springkerse Retail Park; Nationwide Building Society, Port Street; Waitrose, Burghmuir Retail Park FK7 7NZ; ABERFOYLE Breagha By Nic craft shop, 1-4 Main Street; BALFRON Andrew Anderson & Sons, 64B Buchanan Street G63 0TW; BANNOCKBURN – Jintz Express/Post Office, 17 Quakerfield; BRIDGE OF ALLAN - Andrew Anderson & Sons, 71 Henderson Street FK9 4HG; CALLANDER - Tesco Express, Main Street; DUNBLANE – Beech Tree Cafe, 2 Beech Road; FALLIN - Tesco Express, Stirling Rd FK7 7JW; RAPLOCH - Andrew Anderson & Sons, 90 Drip Road FK8 1RN; Stirling Community Enterprise, 146 Drip Road FK8 1RW.

Sports

In-form Elgin test awaits for slumping Stirling Albion as Binos boss feels heat

The tasks don’t get any easier for Stirling Albion as they aim to bring themselves out of the doldrums as League Two’s in-form side make the visit to Forthbank. It was a painful afternoon last time out for the Binos as they collapsed to a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Forfar Athletic, a result which dropped Albion to second-bottom in the table and firmly looking over their shoulder at bottom dogs Edinburgh City. A palate cleansing match might have been on the wishlist for under-pressure Binos boss Alan Maybury - but instead he prepares to set his side for back-to-back clashes against a confident Elgin City side in both league and Scottish Cup action. The Black and Whites come into Saturday’s match off the back of a comfortable 2-0 home win over Dumbarton which lifted them into fourth place. The Moray club are also the form team in the division over the last six games, racking up 12 points to sit ahead of the league’s top three clubs in Spartans, East Kilbride and Clyde on that measurement. Stirling also don’t have much to provide confidence from the sides’ first meeting at Borough Briggs this season as they broke a Binos hoodoo of good results at the venue with an easy 3-0 win. Russell Dingwall put Elgin in front a minute from the break before Josh Walker doubled the lead in the final quarter of the game. A difficult afternoon was rounded off by Kane Hester hammering in a free kick from all of 40 yards into the top corner to put a final twist on the scoreline. Speaking after the Forfar defeat, Maybury urged the leaders in his side to come to the fore and lift the team out of their slump. He said: “We certainly need those leaders to step up for us and we didn’t have enough on the pitch today. “Someone needs to take the game by the scruff of the neck, to talk and to make demands of everyone but you don’t get many of them anywhere; the game is different now and when the game falls away from you, then it just gets away.”

Technology

Adorable Labrador puppy settles into new Bridge of Allan home as part of appeal

An adorable puppy from Guide Dogs’ largest litter in three years is settling into her new home. The 13 puppies were given baking-themed names inspired by sweet and savoury treats, in honour of the charity’s Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal, which encourages members of the public to fundraise and donate during October. Eccles, a 12-week-old labrador cross golden retriever, is now learning the ropes with her volunteer puppy raisers Sandra McDerment and Judith Midgley in Bridge of Allan. Sandra and Judith, both retired, already raise guide dog puppy Yardley, now almost 18 months old. Sandra said: “Yardley and Eccles adored each other from the moment they met and this has helped her to settle in really quickly. “They snuggle up together and are best playmates, which is adorable to watch. They have a bed each but choose to share. “However, as Eccles gets bigger she takes up more of the bed and poor Yardley ends up on the floor. “Rami, our rescue cat, isn’t as enamoured about the situation. “Eccles loves going out for a walk and her tail wags constantly, putting a smile on a lot of people’s faces. “We’re often stopped by people who tell us about friends or family members whose lives have been transformed by having a guide dog and that really helps us to remember why we’re doing it.” The boys are Biscuit, Crumble, Bagel, Crumpet, Rye, Tiger and Pretzel, and the girls are Apple, Eccles, Cocoa, Chelsea, Custard and Ginger. Puppy raisers provide puppies with a loving home until they’re around 14 months old, teaching them basic commands and helping them get used to different environments. The charity is appealing to locals to consider taking on the role. David Smith, puppy development advisor at Guide Dogs, said: “We’re really excited that Eccles from the Baker’s Dozen litter is living here in Bridge of Allan. “Being a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to raise a guide dog puppy and prepare them for their future role supporting someone with sight loss. “We’re looking for more puppy raisers in and around Stirling. Guide Dogs provide all the support and training you need, so you feel well equipped to care for your puppy when they arrive with you. “We also cover essential costs, including food and vet bills. “We’re looking forward to seeing how Eccles progresses through her training to become a life-changing guide dog.” Volunteers must be aged over 18 and have suitable housing. Caring for a puppy is a full-time commitment and you must be able to give a guide dog pup the love and attention they deserve. Applicants must have the ability to access training online and have an email address. To find out more about becoming a Puppy Raiser, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppyraiser or call 0800 781 1444. With your support, the organisation can help train more life-changing guide dogs for people in the UK living with sight loss.