The 'Dìleab: Metagama' performances in Lewis schools raised a total of £5300 for Bethesda Hospice.

The Dìleab project commemorating 100 years of the sailing of the Metagama from Stornoway on April 21, 1923, was highly successful with eight performances taking place across Lewis in March and April 2023. 

The Department of Education, Skills and Children’s Services at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar decided in early 2023 that all monies raised from a silver collection at the door of each event would be passed on to local charity, Bethesda Hospice.  

CnES Gaelic Education Manager, Evelyn Coull MacLeod, said: “We are absolutely delighted to hand over this cheque to Bethesda.  We are grateful for the generosity shown by our island community. 

"The Dìleab projects aims were to educate our young people about this important time in the history of our island as well as giving pupils a chance to develop many skills. 

"I am delighted to say that it has all been a resounding success and proved to showcase how communities can come together at the highest possible level”.

Carol Somerville, Bethesda, added: “It was a privilege to be included in this Dileab project, to be invited to watch the magnificent performances carried out by the schools and to learn, along with the children, about the sailing of the Metagama from Stornoway. 

"The productions were outstanding, both informative and entertaining, with the presentations depicting the loss to the Islands through script and song. Thank you to the Dileab Project Team and the Education Department for nominating the Bethesda Hospice to receive these essential funds.  Bethesda is at the heart of our community, with the community at its heart”. 

Pictured are pupils from Laxdale school, Carol Somerville and Joanne Ferguson from Bethesda and Evelyn Coull MacLeod, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.