YOUR VIEWS: Welcome for port work and Loch Ness Etape
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Readers on two big events this week, plus a variety of other views and appeals.
Vision that could transform port
Plans to redevelop the Port of Ardersier as a major energy transition facility took a huge step forward with a £300 million investment and the creation of a new parent company to oversee the project. Claiming it will it create “thousands of jobs” in the construction phase alone, Haventus said they want to build a facility that is “good for 100 years”.
“It would be great to (see) this happen, has been talked about for years since they shut it.” – Michael McLoughlin
“Great news for the job front, but I sincerely hope they will materialise locally, unlike the promised thousands of jobs which were promised in the wind farm industry. Mostly foreign labour, even the trucks transporting the blades etc, had non-UK registration plates!!” – Myra Brauer
“What about the wildlife along there? Another eco-system trashed!!!” – Falco Scot
Etape was a huge success
More than £200,000 was raised for charity so far after thousands of cyclists from across the globe pitted themselves against Etape Loch Ness. Around 6000 cyclists from 20 countries took part in this year’s 66-mile closed road sportive around Loch Ness.
“Congratulations to all riders, tough conditions. Well done to my nephews, twins Martin and Jamie Ross. Great effort guys. I am sure that you had a few thoughts about your late mother Brenda who succumbed to cancer when you were very young as you cycled along. She would have been so proud of you both.” – Billy Lowrie
“Yeah I raised over £300 for Macmillan. Weather was horrible today but an amazing reception from everyone at Inverness at the finish line, thank you” – Phil Ketchen
“Thank you Inverness, wonderful people in a beautiful place. The ride was incredible, the volunteers (were) amazing!” – Martin Baker
SNP must look to rebuild trust
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing disagreed, in his latest Courier column, with Green politicians who want an end to new gas exploration projects.
“Well said, Fergus Ewing! At long last, someone from Holyrood daring to speak the truth about energy and the disastrous policies insisted on by the Green Party. The SNP must now focus on rebuilding the trust of its members and voters, demonstrating competent government for the benefit of all Scots and as Alex Salmond says, ‘forget about all the other stuff’. That means amputating the ‘green tail wagging the yellow dog’ and returning to minority government.” – John Tulloch, Aberdeen
Sign up to help beat breast cancer
Breast Cancer Now’s £1000 challenge is back, and we need as many people as possible to sign up to help fund life-saving breast cancer research.
The challenge is exactly as it sounds. All you need to do is raise £1000.
How you do that is completely up to you.
Whether it’s a sponsored cycle or walk, a ball or a bake sale, or even your very own mini-festival (yes, someone really did that!) we’ll be here to support you all the way.
In the UK, someone dies from breast cancer every 45 minutes. But research has the power to change this.
All life-saving drugs begin their journey as an idea that’s investigated in the laboratory by the brightest minds in research.
Breast Cancer Now is currently funding around 70 cutting-edge research projects that provide people at risk or affected by breast cancer hope there can be a better future for those diagnosed.
By taking on the £1000 challenge, every pound you raise will go towards helping our scientists answer the most pressing questions – like how can we improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, or what makes some triple negative breast cancers more aggressive and more likely to spread?
If you reach your target by October, we’ll send you an exclusive pin badge to wear with pride, knowing you’ve helped the scientists at Breast Cancer Now move closer towards a future where everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives, and is supported to live well. Together, we can make this possible.
Challenge accepted? Sign up at breastcancernow.org/1000challenge
Dr Kotryna Temcinaite
Head of research communications and engagement
Breast Cancer Now
Help is at hand when dealing with anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems.
In fact, a survey commissioned by Mental Health Foundation in late 2022 found that almost a quarter of adults in Scotland (24 per cent) feel so anxious that it stops them doing the things they need, or want to do, most or all of the time.
Nearly six in ten adults in Scotland feel this way at least occasionally.
That’s why, this Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15-21, 2023) we will be focussing on anxiety.
We will be encouraging people to share their experiences and what has helped with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.
By having a national conversation about anxiety during Mental Health Awareness Week, we hope people will better understand how anxiety is affecting them, what they can do to calm feelings of anxiety, and feel more comfortable in seeking support.
We invite people across Scotland to find out more about anxiety and how to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week by going to our website www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw. There are several resources available including a downloadable publication with expert guidance on how to manage anxiety.
Julie Cameron
Associate director for Scotland
Mental Health Foundation
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