Listen up Chilli fans and listen good! We need your help - big style! We got a call in Chilli HQ from an amazing older lady called Dottie Grant in Muir of Ord. She runs an incredible charity called 'HIV Mission Possible' and here is what she told us about the work which she does.
'I have been going to Romania for 6 years. 2009 will be year seven. What I do is take children, mostly teenagers with HIV who are living in dreadful conditions in hospitals in Romania on a holiday to the mountains. I give them new clothes, do crafts and give them fun. Each year I pay for the accommodation and food and anything the children need. I also give money to the hospital that treats the kids. My team and I call at the hospital when we arrive and give the kids in the ward new clothes and bring them gifts and spend some time with them. Then we board the bus and off we go to the mountains. We feel that a holiday is a good thing to do with the kids - as everyone needs a holiday.'
We certainly know what you mean Dottie. The Chillis have hardly had a day off this year!
As soon as we heard Dottie's story, the Chilli machine swung into action. Strathpeffer Pavilion is the place and 23rd January is the date for the first Chilli concert of 2009 and all the proceeds are going straight to HIV Mission Possible. Everyone is behind this. Our amazing friends at the Pavilion have even agreed to provide the PA and lighting for the Chilli show free of charge - thanks guys! The local press are doing everything they can to spread the word all over the Highlands. So this is where you come in Chilli chums.
First of all - get the date in your diary.
Secondly, get out all your loose change from your pockets and from down the back of the sofa and bring it along to the show for the collection. We need to raise as much money as we can for these kids.
Thirdly, if you can't make the show - and you will need a note from your mum to be excused! - and you feel you want to make a wee donation to the charity, just send a cheque made out to 'HIV Mission Possible' and send it to our office. We will make sure that Nana Dottie gets it. Here is our address.
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers Office
PO Box 7348
Perth
PH2 9YD
We need you to get behind this amazing lady and this wonderful charity. She has a big heart and what better way for the Chillis to welcome 2009 - the year of Homecoming - than by showing the whole world what we in Scotland are all about. Please give whatever you can.
