A former Oban High School pupil will be able to attend a Meteorological course thanks to the kindness of local people.
Cameron Allen dreamed of attending the 10-day Meteorological Observers course in Aberdeen, but as he has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (also known as Brittle Bone Disease), he would need the support of his family throughout the stay.
He has spent the last year on work experience at Oban Airport, and his friends and colleagues there helped organise a fundraising event this week with the aim of raising 拢1000 to pay for Cameron and his family鈥檚 accommodation in Aberdeen.
They raised 拢740 at the event, with a grand total of 拢1700 being raised so far, including through an online fundraising page at
Any money left over once Cameron is sure all expenses being incurred by the course are covered will be donated to organisations that are important to him.
Cameron said: 鈥淭hank you so much to everybody who came along and donated to the fundraising event. The day was a huge success and fun was had by all. Thanks to all of your donations we managed to raise a fantastic total of more than 拢1700.
鈥淭his has allowed me to cover all of the expenses required for me to go to Aberdeen with some money still left over. Once all of the funds have come in I鈥檒l be donating the extra money to some organisations that are important to me.
鈥淎 huge thank you should also go to the people who helped to make the event as successful as it was, including the volunteers who came to help serve tea and coffee, Oban Airport for helping to organise the event and for hosting it, and to all of the businesses who donated prizes for our raffle.
鈥淭he Creagan Inn, Oban Chocolate Company, Eric Smith World Travel, Kinlochlaich Garden Centre, Castle Stalker View, the Old Inn, Barguillean Farm, the Lochnell Arms Hotel, the Pierhouse Hotel and Hebridean Air Services. Thanks to their support we were able to have a superb raffle.
鈥淲e hope everyone who attended had a great time and thank you once again for all of your support.鈥
During his period of work experience at the airport, Cameron has taken part in almost all of the roles required at an airport. The 10-day course will allow him to record observations that are used to advise pilots on the local weather conditions.
These reports are also used by the Met Office when they are forecasting the weather for the local area. The course will allow him to carry on working at the airport on a voluntary basis.
Cameron has a keen interest in aviation and is keen on a career in the industry, and the course will open up many opportunities for him in the future.
Photos Courtesy of Photographer Kevin McGlynn.