printed 13 December 2024
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An Island midwife who’s the driving drive behind a church-based child financial institution that helps households in want has been honored with an award recognizing her service to the group.
Joan Stewart, of Wizian Manse on the west coast of Lewes, is the most recent recipient of a group award from the Scar-Corridor Memorial Fund, arrange by worldwide businessman Ian Scar-Corridor in reminiscence of his late mom.
Mrs Stewart, who’s married to the Rev Hugh Stewart, minister of Bernera Loch, close to Uig, arrange the Oisean a’ Chalman (Doves Nook) Child Financial institution in December 2019 with the assistance of a £5,000 grant from the Church of Scotland.
Oisean a’ Chalman now helps dozens of households throughout the Western Isles, in addition to the aged who’re experiencing challenges by offering gadgets similar to clothes, sneakers, winter jackets, nappies and bottles.
Assist will be accessed straight or by way of referrals by way of different businesses, lots of whom flip to Oisean a’ Chalman for households who’re working and do not meet the edge for advantages, however nonetheless want a bit of assist to bridge the monetary hole.
In nominating Mrs Stewarts for the award, the Scar-Corridor Memorial Trustees commented: “She organized frequent occasions for the congregation, ran the Sunday Membership and just about single-handedly ran the Child Financial institution at Banca Piste Osien a’ [Doves Corner Baby Bank] which offers help in absolute confidence to an ever-increasing variety of recipients all through the Western Isles.
“Along with all this, she additionally facilitated a help group for bereaved moms of Lewis and Harris, who misplaced a toddler in infancy or earlier than delivery – all whereas holding down her job as a midwife.
“There has by no means been a extra deserving recipient of this award for voluntary group service.”
Mr Scar-Corridor has been a daily customer to the Western Isles because the Sixties and has owned Amhuinswyde Fortress in Harris the place he has lived since 2003.
Chairman of George S. Corridor, a property administration providers agency with operations all through Europe and the USA, he established the Scarr-Corridor Memorial Fund in 1988.
He stated: “I bear in mind my mom as a meek, light Christian soul who gave herself all her days in silence to the service of our Lord.
“He was a humble ‘giver’ who always prioritized the wants of others.
“At the moment, the Fund distributes awards to comparable ‘donors’ who repeatedly give with out in search of recognition.
“Joan is a most deserving recipient of this award.”
Wiig Kirk Classes echoed Mr Scar-Corridor’s feedback, saying: “We prolong our congratulations to Joan Stewart, this 12 months’s recipient of the Scar Corridor Memorial Award for voluntary service to the group.
“We sincerely thank him for his selfless service, within the identify of the Lord, to assist and be a blessing to others.”
