A SMALL group of children and adults who suffer from an often misunderstood condition are the latest beneficiaries of a cash windfall.
The Highland Tourettes Support Group have become the sixth recipient of a £300 boost which, they say, will allow them to keep up their good work for another three months.
Every month in 2011 the Loch Ness Rotary Club, in association with the Highland News, makes the monetary donation to a local cause which can be put to a good use of their choice.
One of the founders of the Highland Tourettes Support Group, Jocelyn Caveney, said they were delighted to be chosen as the June recipients.
"This will keep us going for another three months," she said. "We are running very much on a month to month basis, and it is very hard to get money coming in."
The group caters for 20 people, 10 adults and 10 children and usually meets every month.
"As the only group for Tourettes sufferers and their families in the Highlands, we are vital in offering support, information, and monthly outings for families and children," said Jocelyn.
"Currently we meet regularly to go 10-pin bowling at Rollerbowl with the children. This is a perfect activity for everybody, as it allows the parents to talk about Tourettes, and provides the children with a noisy, busy environment to mask the effects of Tourettes Syndrome.
"The children also have the opportunity to meet, and play with others suffering from the same condition."
Other popular venues are the Landmark Centre at Carrbridge, and the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig.
Jocelyn said they needed funding to continue to pay for these sessions, as parents could not always afford to attend, as they are quite often a long way from the venue, and cannot pay fuel costs. The money would help a great deal in paying for petrol, and the price of the outings.
Jocelyn said there were misconceptions about Tourettes Syndrome. "It has been labelled the swearing illness, but it is not really that," she said. "Quite often the children have forms of autism, ADHD or OCD because it is a neurological disorder which can manifest itself in different ways."
Speaking on behalf of the Loch Ness Club, Jim Cockburn, a past president of the club, said: "The Highland Tourettes Support Group jumped out at us as soon as we received their application due to the fact that it is not a particularly well known organisation in the local area despite the massive amount of great work for families affected by this condition.
"The Loch Ness Club's Charter Charity initiative was primarily to award much-needed income for some groups, but in addition to the financial support we thought that through the Highland News the scheme could also increase public awareness for certain groups - and the Tourettes group fell very firmly into both of these areas.
"We hope that not only will the group make good use of the £300 fund for this month but also have increased public knowledge about their group."
For help or information contact Tourette Scotland, Inveralmond Business Centre, Auld Bond Road, Perth PH1 3FX, Tel 01738 646742, or call Jocelyn Caveney on 01862 871231.
