Scottish Catholic Observer

The original feast day of St Margaret of Scotland is in a few weeks, on June 10. St Margaret of Scotland Hospice was named after the former Queen for good reason; St Margaret was inspired by her faith to transform her country for the better.

Just like the ethos of the Sisters of Charity, she was known for her care and compassion in working with the poor. Born as an English princess in 1046 and brought up in Hungary where her family were in exile, she came to Scotland in the 11th Century and married King Malcolm, encouraging him to rule with more kindness and virtue.

Margaret’s devotion to her religion and to poor people and orphans led to considerable damage to her health and she died in 1093 following a long illness, shortly after hearing about her husband’s death in battle. She was Canonised by Pope Innocent IV in 1250 and her feast was formerly observed by the Catholic Church on June 10 but is now celebrated each year on the anniversary of her death, November 16.

At the hospice, we were given a reminder of our connection to St Margaret this week when a Glasgow artist, Brendan Berry, donated a portrait of her (above). Mr Berry, who formerly worked as an art teacher in Glasgow, kindly decided the best home for the portrait would be St Margaret of Scotland Hospice following it’s display in St Patrick’s Church, Anderston during Lentfest. The fundraising department has been working hard to make sure our regular events run smoothly and help individual supporters in their superb efforts to bring in donations to the Hospice.

Our first social event of the year, the Celtic Ceilidh and Dinner Dance, took place on March 11 at Glasgow’s Oran Mor. With many of our supporters in attendance alongside some new faces, the night was as lively and as popular as ever. It was particularly pleasing for organisers to see so many young people turn out to show their support, particularly the large group who took advantage of a late admission offer to bring their energy to a night of traditional music and dance.

Next on the calendar were two events in close proximity—with each offering a distinctive variety of entertainment for guests.

The Sports Dinner on Friday, May 6, at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel, is a mainstay on our events schedule and this year guests enjoyed the usual offering of excellent food, top-class speakers and the quick-witted hosting skills of Hospice Patron Peter Martin. Joining Peter on the stage were two sports stars of yesteryear—footballing great Kevin Ratcliffe and Scots golf star Gordon Sherry (above right).

Mr Ratcliffe is a former Wales captain and skippered the successful Everton side on the late 1980s to glory in the league, FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup. Mr Sherry, who now lives in Helensburgh, shot to fame in the 1990s when he finished fourth in the Scottish Open as a 20-year-old amateur before striding the fairways of St Andrews in The Open Championship, earning plaudits from playing partners Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

Just a couple of weeks later, on Sunday May 22 the next big event—the Ladies’ Lunch—takes place at the same venue and preparations are already at an advanced stage. The event will begin at 12.30pm with a sparkling reception, during which guests can browse pop-up stalls selling clothing, cosmetics and confectionery.

Following this, they will enjoy a superb four-course meal before a fashion show presented by expert Mark Heyes of ITV’s Lorraine fame and featuring Hospice staff and supporters as the catwalk stars.

Mr Heyes, who has hosted the Ladies’ Lunch for several years, is looking forward to the camaraderie of the event. “The Ladies’ Lunch always has a great atmosphere. It’s a real privilege to be involved,” he said. “Presenting to a live audience is very different to working on TV. But with the Hospice event it feels like I am working in a room full of my mates. They’re a really good laugh and good fun.”

The event, which has a vintage theme, will also feature a superb musical show from local favourites the Singer Swingers and harmony group the Ragtime Dolls. Tickets, which are selling out fast, are available at £50 or £450 for an early-bird rate table of 10 from https://smh.charitycheckout.co.uk/ladies-lunch

For tickets or further information, you can also contact the hospice fundraising department on 0141 435 7018.

Other events coming up over the summer include outdoor activities, which we hope will seem less daunting when the wintry weather of late April is broken by this week’s reported heatwave.

Our sponsored Millport Bike Ride is on Saturday, June 11, and is an all-day affair with those taking part—who are asked to raise a minimum £50 in donations—leaving the Hospice by bus at 9am and returning at 5.30pm after their cycle around the island.

Two months later on Friday, August 19, our inaugural St Margaret of Scotland Open Golf Competition takes place. Hosted at Clober Golf Club in Milngavie, the tournament— which will be played in a friendly spirit—will feature prizes for various feats and is already attracting huge interest, with teams of four asked to donate £100 to take part.

For information on both of these events or to request a place, please call 0141 435 7018.

Some of our supporters have already braved the prolonged cold weather to train for endurance events and raise money for the hospice and we are very grateful for their fantastic efforts.

In March, Norah O’Donnell (above centre) performed the fantastic feat of completing two half marathons—Liverpool and Alloa— in consecutive weeks.

Then seminarian Andrew McGowan, who is studying to join the priesthood in Rome, took on Eternal City’s marathon in aid of the hospice.

And two weeks later, Julie Cairney toughed out the London Marathon in another fantastic fundraising effort.

Hospice Chief Executive Sr Rita, was also recently in the UK capital, albeit for a very different occasion. She travelled to St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney in March to celebrate the bicentenary of the Sisters of Charity, delivering a powerful address at a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster.

“Our world seems entirely dominated by celebrity culture where people come and go so far,” she told the Congregation. “Mary Aikenhead and her Sisters of Charity have stood the test of time.

“The sisters were, and are, women of astounding commitment, steadfast courage and supreme dedication.

“They changed the world, challenging inequality and oppression, changing the lives of ordinary men, women and children, whilst always preserving justice and the dignity of the individual.

“We have a determined will to continue Mary Aikenhead’s work.”

An initiative to help the hospice do just that began at the start of April. The Venerable Mary Aikenhead Legacy Appeal asks supporters and donors to help us continue the work of our Foundress by leaving a gift in their will.

We also ran a promotion during national Make A Will Month to highlight our Legacy Appeal, during which solicitors in Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire offered to help people make a Will for free and donated their fee to the hospice.

The month proved to be a success and some of the Solicitors have agreed to continue the free service for a full year.

For information on participating Solicitors or to find out more about our The Venerable Mary Aikenhead Legacy Appeal, please email [email protected]