By
Sarah Johnson
WE’RE PUT on this earth to help others. That’s the sentiment among members
of Crieff 50-Plus Art Group who meet every Tuesday to paint and chat — and they’ve now taken our appeal to their art!
 They’ve generously promised to support our campaign for as long as
it lasts. We first heard from the group’s chairman Ron Dodd after they raised
£117 hosting an exhibition and coffee morning in March — but they didn’t want to stop there.
When they held their first
week-long exhibition in Crieff Town Hall at the end of May they raised a further £100 by asking visitors to guess the birthday of Charlie the Clown, lovingly knitted by amateur artist Madge Greenhill.
Last week we went along to their weekly class to watch the artists at work. Under the expert guidance
of teacher and artist Douglas Matthews the group has been running for more than 10 years.
In that time the 28 artists have developed skills they didn’t know they had. Many hadn’t even
painted before they enrolled with the club, which now meets at the bowling club.
Until eight years ago Madge, a former nurse, had never picked up a brush. Having always wanted to paint but never quite finding the time, she was eager to join the club when a serious neck injury forced her into early retirement.
Like all the members, she has been helped by Douglas to become more confident in her artwork. And as that confidence has grown the members have started selling their paintings, and cards at exhibitions and coffee mornings.
Exhibition
Ten paintings were sold at
their May exhibition and now they’re being encouraged by family, friends and the community to hold more shows in the future.
The talented over-50s — or “recycled teenagers” according to Madge — enjoy
themselves so much that, as a way of thanking the community, they do what they can to raise money for issues affecting people locally.
Madge explained, “Each year
we choose a charity to give a little back.
“I read The Sunday Post every week and the hospitals appeal caught my eye. When it came to choosing our charity I mentioned the appeal and everyone was
happy to help.
“All of us know children, whether grandchildren, nieces, nephews or even neighbours’ children. The Sunday Post Children’s Hospital campaign, although a national campaign, has a very local appeal, affecting everyone.
“Children from Crieff could be treated in any of the four hospitals. Although we hope and pray our children will never have
to go to hospital, it would
be comforting to know the necessary equipment and care was available.”
As a former nurse Madge knows how important that care is.
Having worked in Dundee, and later locally in Crieff, she said, “Being in hospital is never nice
and it’s important to do what we can to make that time easier.
“I believe we’re put on this earth to help people. And whatever we can do, whatever the amount, we’ll continue to support the campaign and the children it helps treat for
as long as we’re needed.”
 IF YOU have a
special reason for contributing to or raising funds for our appeal
then we’d like to hear from you.
It could be that
you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve
provided in your hour of need. Or perhaps a relative spent time in
one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has
left a lasting impression on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason,
please let us know.
We’d be delighted
to share your experiences with our readers. And, who knows,
it may inspire others to follow in your fund-raising footsteps.
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Happy to help — the ladies and gentlemen of Crieff 50-Plus Art Group and, below, two of
Madge’s paintings, Winter On Loch Monzievaird, Crieff And Loch Tay.
