The team at Kirkcudbright in Scotland has been busily putting their volunteering days to good use by giving their time to a local school and animal sanctuary. Jackie Clark, Site Manager, tells us more.
THE MAGGIE FLEMING ANIMAL HOSPICE & THE KARASS SANCTUARY
“The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice & The Karass Sanctuary is a rescue centre for animals such as dogs, sheep, chickens and pigs and is a five minute drive from Kirkcudbright Camp. It is run by a young lady, who relies solely on the help of volunteers and donations for its daily upkeep, who has been trying to awareness of the extreme need for support that is required to keep the rescue centre running.
“We were first made aware that the hospice was seeking assistance and support from the local community when one of our Team Leaders, Colin McCleary, had enquired if there was anything we could possibly do to help. I asked Colin to visit the site and find out what kind of support they were most in need of. The hospice said they would appreciate any support Landmarc could offer, though they highlighted that they were short on materials and needed some support to carry out some tree and hedgerow maintenance. Colin and fellow Team Leader, Chris Seton, collated a list of materials that the hospice mentioned would be beneficial to the site, which would be used to make hides and various other small structures for the animals.
“Once the project was approved and the materials ordered, the team of six Training Area Operatives, Mark Baker, Joy Baker, Kenny Maxwell, Ian Murray, Robert Henry and Mark Hives, set to work – loping tree branches which were overhanging the kennels, cutting back overgrown vegetation, trimming the hedges and delivering the materials that we had purchased.
“Supporting local organisations is really important to us and the team definitely came away having made some new furry and feathered friends!”
TWYNHOLM SCHOOL
“A few months ago we were contacted by an individual from Twynholm School, which is located nine miles from Kirkcudbright Training Centre (KTC), about Landmarc potentially helping upgrade some play equipment.
“As the children of some of our team attend this school, Sam Gilston, Team Manager and I paid them a visit to scope out the works involved. From that visit materials were ordered and a plan of action was created.
“Three Training Area Operatives, Mark Baker, Joy Baker and Robert Henry, volunteered their time to complete the tasks which has resulted in a playground the children can use and enjoy safely. They completely renewed the balance beam as it has begun to rot, replaced several wooden slats on the climbing barrel, replaced the stepping platform, which was also rotting, and repaired the tyre bridge which was out of bounds to the children as it was broken.
The barked area at the bottom of the slides was re-framed and new bark was added to freshen it up.
“All of the construction aspects of the work have been completed and we intend to revisit the school in the Easter Holidays to apply a coat of wood stain to preserve the play equipment for years to come.”
Well done to the team!