News (99)
Inverclyde Ukrainian Club
These 3 Ukrainian photos are from Easter 2025, where 30 persons from the Ukrainian Inverclyde group were our guests for a week; all who had to flee their homeland near the Russian border, due to bombing and Russian tanks.
Below the photos, is an extract from our Ukranian visitors, expressing their gratitude, for the support and welcome from our Children In Poverty Inverclyde (CIPI) charity.
Excerpt from Letter
Dear Pat,
On behalf of the Inverclyde Ukrainian Club, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your generous support and for providing us with the opportunity to create such a memorable holiday experience for our Ukrainian children.
Your kindness through Children In Poverty Inverclyde has allowed our young ones to enjoy a wonderful retreat at Hunters Quay Holiday Village on the beautiful Argyle and Bute peninsula.
Hunters Quay Holiday Village proved to be a magical place that offered us a warm, safe, and inviting environment.
The children delighted in playing outdoors, forming new friendships, and experiencing countless adventures, while the adults had the chance to relax and recharge in an atmosphere filled with breathtaking views and a sense of community.
This holiday not only provided a much-needed break from everyday challenges but also reinforced the bonds within our club and gave us cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Your contribution has been invaluable in helping us uplift the spirits of these children and strengthening our community during challenging times.
We are deeply grateful for your compassion, professionalism, and unwavering support. It is our hope that this collaboration will continue, enabling us to create more opportunities for hope and happiness in the future.
Thank you once again for your generosity and commitment to making a positive difference.
With warmest regards,
Inverclyde Ukrainian Club
Financial Donations
The following donations were made to our charity Children In Poverty Inverclyde (CIPI), from very generous individuals, bodies, and companies to help assist in the many projects CIPI creates and manages each year to help reduce child poverty in Inverclyde and bring adventures and holidays, to those in need:
Greenbean Cafe:
Greenbean Cafe, located in the in Sheriff Court, presents us with £1000.
Morton Club Together:
Morton Club Together present us a cheque for £305.
Sanmina:
Sanmina donate £800
Stedfast Band:
Stedfast Band donate £850
Craig Molloy Coaching:
Craig Molloy Coaching donates £300
St.Andrew's BC:
St.Andrew's BC donate £250
Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No.X11:
Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No.X11 donate £500
Greenock Juniors 2009's:
Greenock Juniors 2009's donate 60 toys and a generous £250.
Thanks to Chris and the boys.
Gourock Golf Club Ladies Section:
Gourock GC Ladies Section present a cheque for £150 to us.
Their continued support over the years is greatly appreciated.
Toys Donations
The following toy donations were made to our charity Children In Poverty Inverclyde (CIPI), by very generous members and groups from within our community, for redistribution to the many good causes in Inverclyde.
Lady Alice Bowling Club with a further £810 from members:
Cove Cafe, Gourock:
Murdoch Gow:
American Candy(Tony Gifto):
James Walker Engineering
Old Gourock & Ashton Church:
St.Columba's Junior School in Kilmacolm:
Presented 120 toys and gifts to us. On hand to accept them were staff from Lady Alice Primary school and Hillend Childrens Centre.
Christmas Donations
The following donations were made by our charity Children In Poverty Inverclyde (CIPI), to extremely well deserved good causes :
St.Patrick's Primary
King's Oak Primary
UFC Foodbank
Summer of Fun 2025
This year we have 208 children as our guests in July at Hunters Quay Holiday Village with their parents, a total of 64 families.
This is not possible without the truly magnificent financial contribution from our community including private donations, local businesses,various organisations and clubs.
It's the first time that we have broken the 200 figure barrier as we continue to 'Bring big smiles to little faces'.
Trustee George Wall delivers holiday packs to nurseries and schools.
Gibshill Head of Nursery Janine Burns
Hillend Head of Centre Sonia McKay
All Saints Primary Head Teacher Lesley-Anne McCabe
Newark Primary Head Teacher Laura Hogan
Aileymill Primary Deputy Head Teacher Angela Ferrie
Chritmas Toys & Gifts Donations
December saw an incredible volume of 800 toys and gifts along with financial donations from the community and various businesses.
A selection of these highly generous benefactors is below:
A special mention to St.Columba's Junior School Kilmacolm and Old Gourock and Ashton Church who each donated over 100 toys each
Cardwell Nurseries Santa
Children with Santa at Cardwell Nurseries
Green Oak Funeralcare
INVERCARE GREENOCK CHRISTMAS 2024
Inverclyde Swimming AC
James Walker Christmas donations
Murdoch Gow Timpsons
New Look
Reverend David Burt of Old Gourock and Ashton Church
RPI Global
St.Coumba's JS Kilmacolm
The Cove Cafe Gourock
The Crafty Owl
Willareal FC team members donation
Craigmarloch school trip
Photos form Craigmarloch school trip in May to Kelburn Country Park, showing the excited children departing the school and enjoying activities.
Elev8 and cinema tickets
Our vice chairman Joe McAllister hands over tickets for Elev8 and cinema tickets for distribution to local children who will not have a holiday.
Those able to attend were representatives from Aileymill Nursery, Hillend Childrens Centre and Kinship services.
We purchased 100 Elev8 tickets and 300 cinema tickets for children to look forward to and enjoy.
The Queens Award to Voluntary Service (QAVS)
We were honoured to be presented with the The Queens Award to Voluntary Service in April 2023 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Colonel Peter T.McCarthy with Provost McKenzie in attendance and many of our generous contributors.
This prestigious award is the charity equivalent of the MBE.
Another Generous Regent Club Donation
March 2023:
The Regent Club have donated over £12000 to us since our foundation.
Committee members John and Billy are pictured.
Nat West Mortgage Centre Toys Donation
December 2023:
Baxterstorey staff present over 80 toys to us from staff at Nat West Mortgage Centre in Greenock. Grateful thanks to manager Gosia,
Fiona and Pamela, for their promotion of our charity in the Centre.
Lady Alice Bowling Club - Toys donation
November 2023:
Lady Alice Bowling Club - Secretary Joe Carruthers hands over magnificent donation of 60 toys and £205 from members.
Senior Charity Champion
September 2023:
Margaret Sneddon, a great friend and supporter of our charity ispresented with the Senior Charity
Champion 2023 award in recognition of her generous charitable work across our community.
John & Michelle Laird's Generous £3500 cheque
June 2023
Local business man John Laird and his wife Michelle who are prolific benefactors to our charity
present a cheque for £3500 to trustee George Wall.Provost
£5000 cheque from Nan's Foundation in New York.
May 2023
Former Provost Ciano Rebecchi presents a cheque for £5000 from Nan's Foundation in New York.
The Foundation was set up by Nan's son Bill in her memory to alleviate poverty on local children.
Nan never forgot her roots despite living in New York for many years and took a keen interest regularly
in providing generous contributions across Inverclyde.
Baxterstorey Easter
April 2023
Baxterstorey present a large volume of Easter Eggs for local children
Paul Harris Fellowship - Robert Wilson
A Paul Harris Fellowship is a prestigious Rotary award, the highest accolade that Rotary can present to honour those
local people it deems to have given outstanding service to the community, seen here with Robert Wilson
Blu Marine £8000 donation December 2023
BluMarine Managing Director Craig McCoo presenting his company's magnificent donation of £8000 for
childrens Christmas gifts,pantomime and Santa's Grotto & Carnival visits along with a Christmas
Spectacular Party at Elev8 in Greenock.
Craig's compassionate generosity reached out to over 400 children who enjoyed a magical Christmas.
Succession Wealth donation
Managing Director Robert MacDonald of Succession Wealth in Gourock with a magnificent personal
donation of £1500 matched by the Succession Wealth Group for a wonderful amount of £3000 which
will assist with costs for approx.
180 local children as our holiday guests in July 2023.
Christmas Party at Elev8 2023
90 children with their parents partied at Elev8 with music and games from Beano's Disco
on Christmas Eve.
All were treated to a lovely Christmas Dinner with trimmings.
OGAC Donations Christmas 2022
Reverend David Burt of Old Gourock & Ashton Church handed over a wonderful collection of toys
and gifts from the members to distribute locally for Christmas.
OGAC continue their truly great engagement with us in the community year on year.
Winter clothing December 2022
Inverclyde Community Fund's magnificent £2000 grant enabled the purchase of 180 jackets to keep
children warm on winter days.
They were distributed to social care and selected nurseries locally.
St Columba Kilmacolm Christmas 2022
St Columba's Junior School Kilmacolm pupils present a superb total of 150 gifts for local children at
Christmas for the fifth successive year.
A truly marvelous contribution for the JS to make Christmas a special day for many local children.
STV Winter Fund
SCORES of families who are struggling with life in lockdown received vital support from us courtesy of the STV Children’s Appeal at Christmas 2020 with issue of F&F and Morrison food vouchers each valued at £50 along with infant clothing.
Children in Poverty Inverclyde received £3,600 through the STV Winter Fund and put the money to good use immediately.
Pat Burke and George Wall, Trustees from CIPI enlisted the help of local councillor Tommy McVey whose ward comprises of high unemployment and deprivation along with several nurseries and health nurses to identify the families most in need of help.
A total of 36 families were each gifted £100, in the form of £50 in Morrisons vouchers and £50 in Tesco F&F clothing vouchers.
STV Winter Fund donations-health visitors Inverclyde.
STV Winter Fund award St.Francis Nursery PG
STV Winter Fund Award Lady Alice School donations.
Bluebird Nursery donations STV Winter Fund
Holly's Generosity
Young Holly of Greenock saved her birthday money and with family financial donations,
provided a magnificent collection of toys/games for distribution to less fortunate children
Bluebird Nursery
Staff and children of Bluebird Nursery are presented with toys and selection boxes..
Beatrice Foundation donation purchased a new Christmas tree,santas,reindeers and decorations too!.
Kind hearted Harkins' boys donation
Kind hearted Inverkip brothers Nathan and Aaron, sold bags of chocolate reindeer and reindeer food,
to donate a large donation of toys from £150 raised.
Womens Aid - Fenwick 47
Child ambassadors: Sisters Morven and Charlotte helping to deliver Christmas Dinners
to 30 families generously donated by top Greenock restaurant Fenwick 47.
Co-op Eldon Street
Manager Stephen Trainner hands over huge amount of selection boxes,toys,games,winter clothing
donated by the store's generous customers.
Baxterstorey
Baxterstorey---- RBS Mortgage Centre caterer did Christmas Appeal where staff generously donated
winter woollies (jumpers,gloves,hats,scarves) for local health visitors distribution.
More...
Recent Donations Update
We wanted to create a short article in our News section, to update all concerned, regarding the ongoing, amazing support we have, from our Patrons, Sponsors, Charitable Organisations, Personal Donations etc., etc., all of which is immensly appreciated, to help our continual fight against poverty, especially when seen affecting children, right here in Inverclyde.
This serves to strengthen our resolve, to help in any way we can, to alleviate the poverty experienced by far too many families and children in our local community.
Thankfully, the ongoing generosity of all is helping, and it's so encouraging to report to you on the good news, of most recent contributions from all concerned, and hopefully later, we will have some photos and background stories to share.
The Post Office sorting office had a charity collection at Christmas accruing £300, and they most generously donated £100 of the sum to "Children In Poverty Inverclyde" (CIPI), the remainder going to other deserving causes. We are so grateful that they considered our charity, and included us in their most welcome contribution.
The O2 store in Oak Mall recently held a band night to raise funds, A Gourock BB quiz night in March and GWRFC Ladies XV, are just some of the various fundraisers who's benevolence and kindness are helping to offset some of the dreadful poverty in Inverclyde, and shine some hope on an community that otherwise finds itself suffering from unnecessary hardship and scarcity of basic necessities.
A quick visit to our JustGiving page, demonstrates the many people and groups, who are actively sponsoring and donating to our most worthy cause. The list is too long to mention all of these unsung heroes, but we appreciate every single one of them for their kindness, thoughtfullnes and altruism, toward our own members of our community, who are in need.
We can then appreciate, that Inverclyde still has a fabulous, caring community, that cares about others who are not as fortunate, through no fault of their own.
The struggle is of course ongoing, and if you, your friends, your company or your organisation, can help, or even simply spread the word, we would be eternally grateful, and remember, all contributions help, no matter how small, and in real life do make a positive difference. If you wish to consider donating, please visit our Donate Page for further information by clicking HERE
Sainsbury's Customer Donations
Staff from Sainsbury's Gourock Store, hand over store customer donations to HSCP staff, for local families.
Songbirds Singing Xmas Gifts
Great donations from the childrens' & parents of Songbirds Singing, to our Christmas Appeal .
Succession Wealth Donations
Robert Macdonald of Succession Wealth (Gourock) and Glasgow office, pictured here with fantastic gift donation.
St Columba's donation
St Columba's Junior School pupils, pictured here, with a magnificent huge donation of amazing gifts.
Co-op stores donation
A donation of childrens gloves, hats,selection boxes, etc from Co-op stores in Eldon Street, Greenock
Greenock Wanderers Ladies Donation
GWRFC Ladies Day- A Wonderful donation of toys, from the Greenock Wanderers Ladies and members.
Ashton Church Toys Donations
Jim Hempsey of Old Gourock and Ashton Church with huge donations of toys from Church members.
New Look Gift Donations
Staff from "New Look" in Greenock's Oak Mall Shopping Centre, seen here, handing over staff collections of gift donations.
Gift donations for local families
Susanne and Lesley, Social Care staff, take gifts donations to distribute to local families.
Glenbrae Nursery Toys
Driver John, ready to take huge toys donations to Glenbrae Nursery.
More Pantomime Fun!
Children from the Bluebird Centre, had great fun attending the attending the "Jack and the Beanstalk" Xmas pantomime.
Inverstore
A big thanks to Archie Fergusson, manager at Inverstore, for helping out by providing free storage for Xmas gift donations, from the RBS Mortgage Centre.
Xmas Pantomime Fun!
Children from the Wellpark Centre, had great fun attending the attending the "Jack and the Beanstalk" Xmas pantomime.
RBS Mortgage Centre - Donate £1510
The RBS Mortgage staff at the Cartsburn Centre in Greenock, handed over over a superb donation of £1510.
£500 cheque from Inverclyde School Choir
Many thanks for a much appreciated £500 cheque from Inverclyde School Choir, who donated the sum to our "Children In Poverty Inverclyde" charity.
Kind £70 Donation by girls from Inverkip
A great big thanks for a generous donation, from two very warm hearted young girls from Inverkip, Eva and Roisin, who very kindly donated £70 that they collected, and gave to our worthy cause.
STV Childrens Appeal Video
The STV Childrens Appeal were kind enough to share video footage of a story regarding a family that was recently helped by our own charity "Children In Poverty Inverclyde"
It's a touching video, showing how our donors and patrons, really do make positive changes to children and families in real life.
This heartwarming footage brings to life the actual outcomes of our continual strife to alleviate poverty and its effects on our children here in Inverclyde.
Again, we thank everyone, who have in any small way contributed to this great cause, and giving our local children, much needed, special happy memories, in their young lives.
You can view the video by clicking on the image below. Thanks again.
You can Donate via ourJustGiving account, which is a seamless easy and secure way to help the charity. Any amount is most welcome, and as you can see from the video, it does bring about real changes to families, who could be helped by our cause. Just click on the JustGiving logo below to donate and you will be taken to the secure JustGiving website.
Webhelp Greenock- huge donation of Easter Eggs
Our trustee Seumas Lamb was greeted warmly by Webhelp Greenock Engagement Ambassadors Grant McManus and Brian Wilkinson on his visit yesterday where he accepted a huge donation of Easter Eggs and £50 cash.
Wonderful gesture by Webhelp. Our thanks to all who contributed'.
10 April 2019
St.Columba's Junior School Kilmacolm donation
St.Columba's Junior School Kilmacolm Christmas toys donation to Social Care services