Nan Kirk raises £50,000 for CHAS

It's hard to believe that in a place so small Nan Kirk has, over the past 16 years, produced lunches that have raised an amazing 50,000 for the hospices which care for our nation's dying children and support their families through times of unimaginable stress and grief.

Lunches are served by Nan in her and her husband Jack's small cottage where a small but dedicated band of helpers help Nan run lunches in aid of the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

Only last week Nan raised an amazing 1415 more for her chosen cause at just two lunch sessions, bringing her grand total since she first pulled her ovengloves on for the charity back in 1994 to the colossal milestone figure.

"I really started this back in 1994 when CHAS started its appeal to build the first hospice, Robin House at Kinross," she recalls.

"I was still working in the Lanark Jobcentre at the time and it was just a cause that appealed to me and my workmates at the time."

The incredibly active 62 year old continued: "I took early retirement in 1996 - and it's probably just as well!

"I must admit I feel a bit puffed out after the lunches and the coffee mornings we started a few years back in Kirkmuirhill but, when I make the occasional visit to Robin House and the other hospice now at Balloch, you realise just how much it was all worth the effort."

For more information on Nan's incredible fundraising, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.