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Organisers of Barra's over-subscribed annual half marathon fear the event will be wrecked because of the ferry seamen's strike.

 

They seek people's help to pressurise Cal Mac to organise a special sailing of the MV Clansman immediately after the strike ends, after midnight going into Saturday.

 

Many ferries will be strike-bound in port as the RMT union has called for members to stop work in protest of cuts to conditions and pensions.

 

The strike will hit on the same day mainland runners have booked the ferry to get to the volunteer-run round-island Barrathon race, which is fundraising for MacMillan Cancer support.

 

 

The majority of 280 competitors will be unable to travel if the ship is stuck in port.

 

Last minute cancellations would create a financial headache for hotel and B&B premises.

 

Race organiser Katy Macneil said: "This strike could not be at a worse time," as many runners planned to travel to Barra on the same day.

 

She urges people to join in an e-mail campaign to request a ferry from Oban to Castlebay as soon as the proposed strike finishes.

 

She recommends e-mails should be copied to:

martin.dorchester@calmac.co.uk Martin Dorchester (CalMac),

m.cash@rmt.org.uk Mick Cash (RMT),

scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Minister for Transport & Islands,

Alasdair.Allan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk MSP Alasdair Allan and

AngusMacNeilMP@parliament.uk MP Angus Macneil

 

Suggested wording for the e-mail reads:

 

Dear Mr Dorchester,

 

I hope that you are able to arrange a sailing from Oban to Castlebay as soon as the strike ends to assist the many runners in this year's Barrathon whose travel plans will be disrupted by the industrial action on Friday 26th June.

 

The Barrathon is an annual half marathon and fun run on the Isle of Barra and it is organised completely by volunteers. This year it is being held on Saturday 27th June and was expected to attract over 300 runners and their supporters.

 

It is an event that draws runners to the island from across the world and raises thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support and a wide range of local charities and groups.

 

Barra is an island and dependent of its ferry service. If participants and spectators are unable to reach Barra in time for the Barrathon it will harm not only the Barrathon and the charities it supports but also the fragile local economy.

 

Please help people remember a successful Barrathon instead of a damaging strike.

 

Yours sincerely...

 

 

Mrs Macneil emphasised: "The more people that email the great the chance of the sailing becoming a reality."

 

She added: "This is not an ideal solution to the problem but better than nothing as it will give many people the opportunity to travel."

E-mail campaign in bid to save strike-threatened event

 

23 June 2015