A SOCIETY which helps deaf children and their families feel less isolated has received a welcome boost as it is this month's winners in a Rotary Club giveaway backed by the Highland News.
The Highland Deaf Children's Society will receive £300 this month which help towards paying for equipment for both the youth club and kids club it runs in various locations in Inverness, including arts and crafts materials, computer games and toys.
The donation is part of a cash giveaway by Loch Ness Rotary Club, worth thousands of pounds over this year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its charter.
It has teamed up with the Highland News to run the programme, aimed at grassroots causes rather than the bigger high-profile charities. In each month, a lucky group, individual or charity in the Inverness area is receiving a cash boost of £300 to put to good use.
Andrew Rodden (35), a volunteer who helps run the deaf society, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be the winner of this fantastic competition. I couldn't believe it when I got the phonecall. £300 to us is a lot of money, and I feel it will make a big difference."
Andrew has a daughter, Tiree (8), who is deaf and knows first hand what it is like to be a parent of a child who has a disability.
He said: "He said, I'm deaf and my daughter is also deaf. But for many parents finding out your child is deaf can be very hard, because you have no experience of it and don't know how to properly communicate. Growing up for a child who is deaf can be very isolating and it can be very hard."
He added: "Myself and a group of volunteers run a youth club twice a month at the CYC centre on Bank Street in Inverness for youngsters who just want to come along and use the laptop, the WII, and generally just have fun. We've also got people from graffiti art that come along. It's just good for the youngsters to come along and socialise.
"We also run a kids' club at the Hilton Community Centre on the last Saturday of every month. We do crafts and arts a and plenty of games and try to make it as good fun as possible, so this money is a real boost."
Rotary secretary David Noble said: "We think the Highland Deaf Children's Society is a very deserving cause to receive our £300 award for the month of July. We know that the Inverness based group will use the money to assist deaf children anpad their families come together to enjoy some fun, enjoyment and company when they play together.
"This donation will make a massive difference to this group and we know that it is very much appreciated by everyone in the organisation. The members of the Loch Ness Club hope those involved have a really great time using the donation to help the group."
