Tarbert Guides all set to sail thanks to CalMac

Girlguiding members from Tarbert are set to navigate themselves across the Irish Sea to Belfast, thanks to generous support from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund. 

The village's 1st Tarbert Guide Unit has been given a grant to help them pay a cultural and educational visit to the city. 

Girlguiding is an important youth resource in the Tarbert area as it creates opportunities for girls from different primary schools to meet up and socialise together. 

The trip will be a great opportunity for them to learn about a different culture, and it will be the first time that many will get to explore a new city and experience a busy urban environment. 

'To be a Guide means adventure and opportunity.  Being a 1st Tarbert Guide means that now an adventure can become a reality.  We cannot wait to start planning our trip to the iconic city of Belfast.  It's a city with a chequered history in a country with close family ties to many in our community.  Thank you, CalMac, for giving us this opportunity.'

Picture shows: Tarbert Girl Guides show off their Community Fund cheque.

CalMac's Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations and supports activities that will benefit young people aged 26 and under from island and coastal communities. 

To date, the Community Fund has supported 31 projects in west coast communities. 

'The response since we made the first round awards earlier in the year has been fantastic.  We are already seeing the money put to good use in the Western Isles and I'm delighted that we are able to help the Tarbert Guide Unit on what promises to be great learning experience for the girls.,' said CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton. 

Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company's network, in partnership with Young Scot. 

Last year CalMac's 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles to 50 ports and slipways on island and remote mainland locations.

Other awards made in the Southern Hebrides and Kintyre area included the Isle of Jura Development Trust in support of their Jura Basecamp project, to Port Ellen Mothers and Toddlers for their Port Imagination Project, Islay Natural History Trust in support of their Nature Centre Children & Families Activity Programme, support Islay Archers' Archery for All project, to Islay and Jura Youth Action in support of their Movie Club and support to help train Campbeltown Sea Cadets.