Category: Local news

The Bo’ness Branch of the SNP has recently donated £250 to the 2021/22 Polar Academy team at Bo’ness Academy, which will be embarking on an ambitious and life-changing expedition to Greenland in 2022. 

The organisation, founded by Bo’ness local Craig Mathieson, looks to inspire young people through ‘inspiration by exploration’ – in Bo’ness Academy’s case, through months of training and fundraising, and eventually a Polar expedition to Greenland next year. 

On Tuesday 2nd of November, the Convener of Bo’ness SNP David Mitchell briefly met with some of the people involved in making this happen. 

Commenting, David Mitchell, convener of Bo’ness Branch SNP, said :

“ I am truly more than happy to present this donation to the Polar Academy.

 
As someone who went through school in Bo’ness, i’ve been aware of the work that Craig has been doing since I was at primary school. 
It was great to briefly meet with some of those involved in the Polar Academy on Tuesday, including Craig, pupils, parents, and other volunteers. It’s clear this is an extremely busy time for them – between expedition training, munro climbing, and visiting and keeping up with COP26. I was also hearing about the intense physical training they were about to start. It really has taken a lot and I look forward to hearing more about what they will achieve. 

I would recommend that anyone interested in the work of the Polar Academy watches the ‘Arctic Academy’ series on BBC from 2019, which follows some of the Polar Academy’s work. 

I commend their dedication and I wish them well for the future, on behalf of Bo’ness SNP.”

This month, the Bo’ness branch of the SNP has donated £250 to a new local charity, Bo’ness Car 4U. 

Bo’ness Car 4U is a newly registered SCIO, set up with the aim of providing a free and friendly hospital transport service for cancer patients registered with any Bo’ness medical practice.

Going to and from hospital for cancer treatment can be difficult. Public transport is often infrequent and expensive, while driving involves the stress of traffic and hospital parking.

Bo’ness Car 4U is a small local charity made up of volunteer drivers who are seeking to remove these worries for those undergoing cancer treatment. 

The Bo’ness Car 4U service aims to launch in 2022, and they are looking for volunteers and donations. More details can be found on their website, and Facebook page. http://www.bonesscar4u.scot/

Commenting, local Bo’ness SNP Councillor, Ann Ritchie, said;

“We know that getting to hospital for cancer treatment can be difficult, and we know that often, driving to or using public transport to reach these services can cause additional stress for those receiving treatment for cancer. 

The local SNP branch believes that this new charity will provide a service which makes the lives of those undergoing this treatment easier. 

This is why we have made this donation to the Bo’ness Car 4U, and we urge others to get in touch with the charity to assist with donations and volunteers.”