Bernera Community Association, who are being sued by an American woman after her dog was barred from their cafe, have smashed £50,000 in their fundraising campaign to help with their legal costs – as the woman behind the case claims: “I’m Scottish”.
Claire Kellerman, said to have been born and raised in California, brought the action after her assistance dog was barred from the cafe in the community centre which is run by the community association.
Today (Saturday) Norma Macleod, chairperson of Bernera Community Association, told WLS they were “absolutely delighted” to have passed the money milestone.
The total was standing at £51,997 from 2,712 donations as of this morning (29 August).
She said: “We are completely overwhelmed by the incredible support and generosity we’ve received. It really means so much to us.
“That said, depending on how the case progresses and which way it goes, we could potentially be facing costs of more than £100K, so every bit of support continues to make such a huge difference.”
Meanwhile, Clarie Kellerman has given an extensive newspaper interview in which she claims to be of Scottish descent.
Ms Kellerman is the adopted daughter of Oscar-nominated actress Sally Kellerman, 'Hollywood royalty' who played ‘Hot Lips Houlihan’ in MASH.
The National published the story of its interview, entitled ‘US woman at centre of dog-ban legal battle with islanders speaks out’, on Thursday and it was ranking the number one most read online article on its website on Saturday afternoon.
In the story, Ms Kellerman reportedly claimed her father was from Lerwick, Shetland, although he grew up in the US.
She reportedly said: “I’m Scottish from at least 493AD and most likely even further back.
“I have every single person on the way to me, including Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots, in that line somewhere. The point I’m making is I’m Scottish.”
Later in the same article Ms Kellerman reportedly said: “I’m not a wallflower. I’m not quiet. I’m American.”
Ms Kellerman hit back at accusations from some quarters that her actions smacked of entitlement.
“I couldn’t be anything further from an entitled American. What I am is a very creative, very courageous and very humble woman.
“I’m also very clear about what’s right and what’s wrong, and I’m not going to allow the wrong to continue beyond once it crosses my path.”
The interview was extensive and ended with the question about why Ms Kellerman, who said she has a disability, had launched legal action against community associations.
She said: “I want no one else to ever feel helpless, hopeless, shunned, humiliated, victimised, abused and illegally discriminated against as a disabled person with an assistance dog or just as a beautiful stranger.
“I’m a beautiful stranger who’s been absolutely abused and look at us now.
“Look at what’s happening now, to me, to my name.
“It’s not acceptable and that’s why I’m doing it.”
The case is due to come before Stornoway Sheriff Court in December for legal debate.
Ms Kellerman’s legal action was originally directed against Bernera Community Development Trust which is unconnected to the community cafe.
The Development Trust incurred legal costs of more than £7,000 in dealing with that action before it was rerouted towards the community association. Ms Kellerman is suing them for £10,000 but there are fears the costs will mount.
Ms Kellerman is said to be represented by the publicly-funded Ethnic Minorities Law Centre and apparently receiving legal aid.
Bernera Community Association launched their fundraser on the Give A Little Platform to safeguard their future amid fears the mounting legal costs could bankrupt the charity and close down the community centre it operates.
The association is a registered charity established in 1973, run by volunteers who manage the community centre which also houses the doctors’ surgery, fire station and local museum as well as a cafe.
