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News 2002
from Lachie |
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Island Odyssey by TractorOn 8th July Lachie left his home in Bowling to drive the tractor to Ardrossan where an 'Island Hopping Odyssey' begins via the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry to Arran. It will continue onto Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Barra, then up through the Outer Hebrides to Stornoway, back to Tarbert, onto Skye and back to the mainland at Mallaig. Fort William will be the next port-of-call before visiting Mull and Iona via the ferries at Corran and Lochaline. Oban will be the next landfall where the ferry for Coll and Tiree will depart and return completing the 'Hebredian Odyssey. The journey round 17 islands is expected to take 12 days and use 21 ferry sailings, all of which are being provided free of charge by the respective operators, Caledonian Macbrayne , Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highland Council. Highland Fuels have supplied the kerosene for the tractor, which is powered by a petrol/paraffin engine.
about the tractor Slide presentations will be shown in the following places and will be advertised locally.
Further information is available from Lachie at 01389 873181
In June 1999 Lachie drove a 1953 Ferguson tractor the length of Great Britain, from John o'Groats to Lands End. Fund raising activities were carried out in the various towns, cities and villages en route and, together with sponsorship, a total of £14000 was raised. |
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November 2001 trip to RomaniaRay Hanlon and I took a 16 tonne load of medical supplies to Brasov and Cluj in a truck which was donated by Galt Transport, Dumbarton. They kindly stepped into the breach when we became unstuck at the last minute because we could not get insurance for the vehicle, which had been originally organized. We had a little hassle at the Romanian border when it was discovered we did not have a copy of a Romanian document called a 'Certificat De Inregistrare Fiscal' - basically a registration certificate from the Ministry of Finance. Despite the fact that we had the registration number on the documents as on previous occasions they 'had to see the original or a fax copy' this time. After a 16 hour delay at Bors we finally had the document faxed and were on our way. It makes one wonder but then again God has His way of dealing with each one of us, and I am told that patience is a 'virtue.' Oh that God in his grace would add this virtue to my list, not yet begun. |
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Future Plans - HospiceA lot of water has been under the bridge and back again since this seed began to germinate. I am providing financial support for three nurses who are working part time with Fundatia Pentru Ingrijirea Varstnicului. The are doing 'Homecare' and carrying out a very important function for those who have had major surgery or who are needing palliative care. To the best of my knowledge, the little palliative care provided in Cluj is done in this way by NGOs except for 8 beds in the Oncological Hospital where a Dr Hica is doing her very best.Much work has to be done in this area, so my next project is to build a Hospice. This is a long-term plan and despite several setbacks I am confident that progress will be made but it will take 2 to 3 years to complete. I looked at several options and indeed had access to an old hospital building, which I was planning to renovate. However one or two details were not to my liking and I finally decided to abandon this idea. The City of Cluj council have indicated provisionally that they will support me with this project and will give me a piece of land provided I come up with an acceptable Project. A building plot has already been identified which is ideally located for a hospice. BBC Eorpa is following this Project and the final visit to Romania in March 2002 will see the end of filming. Hopefully the final production will be broadcast in the Spring. A lot depends, regarding finance, on how I tackle this project, but £200,000 is a reasonable target which will provide a 12 bedded unit with daycare and training facilities. A local architect has come up with a suitable design for the building and my next step is to consider whether I will have a timber frame manufactured in this country and transported to Romania or if I will have it built on site. I am looking for sponsors for this project and I would be very happy to hear from any building firms, timber suppliers/importers and suppliers to the building industry who are willing to help with this much needed facility.
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