No wonder the shoppers were amazed

By David Burness AS EACH week of our appeal goes by, readers come up with even more weird and wonderful ways of raising cash to help us build a second children’s hospice at Loch Lomond. Take Ross Munro, for instance. The 18-year-old student at Elmwood College in Cupar somehow managed to persuade his classmates to dress up as St Trinian’s schoolgirls and raise cash in the streets of the Fife town. The gang collected £220 in loose change from astonished shoppers.  Not one to rest on his laurels, blond bombshell Ross has now put up posters asking students to come up with other fund-raising ideas.  Meanwhile, he’ll be taking part in a sponsored row from John O’ Groats to Land’s End.  He won’t be toiling the 1000 or so miles along rivers, burns, canals and lochs — it will all be done on rowing machines in Elmwood’s sports complex. Ross, a second year computing student, is no stranger to raising money for charity. He’s a regular on our popular Marafun weekends and, as his friends and relatives can tell you, he’s a dab hand at parting them from their cash! “I read about The Sunday Post’s Hospice Challenge and think it’s a brilliant idea,” says Ross. “I know there’s little official funding for Rachel House and so I’ll be doing anything and everything I can to help.” Fancy making a  fool of yourself? IF ROSS and his pals can make a fool of themselves, why can’t you?  Of course, you don’t HAVE to do daft things to raise money.  It could be something as straightforward as baking cakes to sell round the office at tea-time, or clearing out the attic and holding a car boot sale.  Now autumn’s here, how about a conker contest down the pub? Or a sponsored clean-up of your local park or beach?  Many secondary schools have joined our Hospice Challenge and between them they’ve contributed several thousand pounds. But it’s not just the teenagers who’ve risen to the challenge. The kitchen staff at Balwearie High School, Kirkcaldy, got together with pupils and sent us a cheque for £45.  And former pupils from Ecclesmachan School, West Lothian, held a reunion and raised £60. Primary schools, too, have been lining up to become involved.  Glenisla Primary, in Perthshire, held a coffee morning in the school and the £200 proceeds went to our appeal. Kilchuimen Primary School, Fort Augustus, baked cakes and sent us £30. Young bowlers — boys and girls aged 10-16 — of Meikleriggs Bowling Club in Paisley held a raffle and have sent us £123. If your school, college or club wants to rise to the challenge please let us know. We’ll be delighted to feature your efforts in The Sunday Post.  Follow this link for details.

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com