50th anniversary
Service for Moira
February 23, 2007
in Airdrie Baptist Church
The Moira Anderson Foundation marked the 50th anniversary of the 11 year old’s tragic disappearance from the Monklands, with invited guests attending a special ecumenical service in Airdrie Baptist Church at 1.30p.m.
As Moira was a P. 7 pupil due to transfer from Coatdyke Primary to Coatbridge High School in the summer of 1957, primary and secondary representatives were invited, along with family, friends, former neighbours and members of different faiths. Also, as Moira had been chosen to carry the Girl Guide flag at a parade to the Cenotaph in Coatbridge the day after she vanished without trace, representatives from youth organisations including Scouts, Guides, Boys and Girls Brigade were invited too, to light candles.
A number of local organisations and dignitaries were also invited, to ensure that even fifty years on, the life of little girl will be remembered in the church where her family were members. Both local MSPs Elaine Smith and Karen Whitefield attended. The theme of the service was about remembering all victims of sexual abuse and those who have disappeared without trace. Moira's own family was represented by her cousin, Moreen McLaggan of Fife, who lit one of eleven candles, each to represent a year of her short existence. The church pews all had small candles in the shape of a butterfly, which is the Japanese symbol for young womanhood, and spring flowers and a blue butterfly on Moira's photograph were put on the table.
Moreen's daughter Eilidh attended the service with her mum, who was interviewed by several radio stations and the BBC, emphasising the fifty year span of the generations. Moreen told the media that for her, the service was the funeral Moira's family never got, and she grieved for all the milestones never enjoyed by Moira, such as being a bride, going to college, having a child of her own, or becoming a grandmother.
“While we are marking a day which was a bleak one in the history of the Monklands,” said Sandra Brown, of the charity named after Moira, “this is also about celebrating her life. Although Moira’s time was all too short, her legacy is remarkable, with so many children, young people and families who suffer child sexual abuse, being supported, by now over 500. It is not only about acknowledging victims past and present, but it is about looking to the future, and protecting children of this generation so that they are given skills and strategies to keep themselves safe. There is a difference between innocence and ignorance. Personal safety programmes like our "Safe Hands" Project based on Protective Behaviours, which we deliver to others on request, are absolutely key to safeguarding our children.
They demonstrate that children cannot be wrapped in cotton wool, they are naturally curious, but kids can enjoy adventures and take on the risks which are part of growing up if they have the learning tools to recognise when they feel safe and when they don’t.
The charity believes early intervention is crucial and youngsters need all adults in the community who are trustworthy people- whether they work with children or are parents or neighbours – to look out for them and always share concerns about unsafe individuals who may be sexual predators.”
The service was well attended and covered by 3 radio stations and the BBC Scotland tv news. Colin Scougall's singing and contributions from local clergy were warmly received, with special thanks going to Sandra and Dermot Lamb, who had helped organise the music and format of the event.
A wonderful tribute was paid to Moira on behalf of her sister Janet Hart, who is Honorary Patron of the charity, and a special butterfly book with quotations from Friends of the Foundation was sent to her in Australia.
March 10, 2007
Colin is seen here with Abbamania at his birthday party.
He asked guests to donate to charity as his gift.
£1000 was raised for MAF
and as much again for
Sandra Brown helped launch the brand new Perth & Kinross
Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
May 18th 2007
“SAFE HANDS”
RESOURCES PACK Based on Protective Behaviours,
the unique Personal Safety Programme
launched at Airdrie Football Club
A GREAT SUCCESS !
Guest Speakers included Scotland’s top comedienne, actress,Scotsman columnist, and bestselling author of “Handstands in the Dark,” Janey Godley, who kickstarted the event by having everyone in stitches, and Sandra Brown, OBE and author of “Where There Is Evil.”The keynote speaker, Dr Mairead Tagg, the renowned expert witness and child psychologist, captivated the audience with a superb presentation on the impact abuse has- even on the unborn child's cognitive development.
The free event was the first Protective Behaviours Networking opportunity in Scotland for all interested in keeping safe. This event was for those who work with children young people & adults based on a ‘whole school, whole community’ approach! The beautifully produced booklets, designed by Lyndsay McGill, were warmly received and welcomed. Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Young People requested a separate presentation on the Safe Hands Booklets at Parliament on his return from recess.
Sandra thanked Tom Clarke, the Monklands much respected, long-serving MP, for opening the event. Tom moved everyone by referring to the abduction of Madeleine McCann, the 4 year old girl snatched from her holiday bedroom in Portugal, and how he has met her family at Westminster.Tom emphasised the parallels with the case of Moira Anderson and stressed the importance of keeping a missing child in the public eye. Representatives from Clarke UK Limited, including MD John Blackwood were delighted to attend the day at Airdrie Football Club and were thrilled at the use made of the organisation's donation of £10,000 to MAF.
July 2007
MAF volunteer Marie who has long service with the charity from its early days, accepted the Nationwide Award for Voluntary Endeavour on behalf of all the volunteers at Edinburgh's Marriott Hotel .
MAF was the Scottish winner in the Adult Volunteers category and also a UK Finalist.
28th July
"One of our Ain" went to the Lowry
AN EVENING WITH THREE AWARD WINNING SCOTSWOMEN!!! Saturday July 28, 2007 saw Sandra Brown join fellow Scotswomen Val Mcdermid, the acclaimed crime writer and Glasgow songstress Carol Laula for an evening at the Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester. Val Mcdermid hosted the evening, and read from her latest book, before taking questions from an engrossed audience.
Carol Laula provided a thought provoking repertoire of songs which showed why she has built a following since she came on the Glasgow scene and was showered with awards. Post- interval, Sandra performed “One of Our Ain”, and a closing Q & A session rounded off a memorable evening that had raised funds as well as the profile of the charity in Manchester, the event having received substantial coverage in the Manchester Evening News, and BBC Radio 4
6th October 2007
Sandra Brown was a Keynote Speaker at
The Scottish Childminding Association's National Conference held in Dunfermline.
November 2007
£2350 was raised by Maggie from Edinburgh & Morag from Glasgow
They walked part of the Great Wall of China
December 2007
Scottish Prison Service Staff, at a Christmas book Fair organised by Mrs Shirley Young at their Headquarters in the Gyle, Edinburgh
raised over £860 from sales of Sandra's book and raffles and donations.