Kirkwall’s going purple to give CLAN a boost

Kirkwall is set to turn purple tomorrow, Sunday, as part of a fundraising effort by the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) and cancer charity CLAN.

BID is hoping to raise cash for CLAN — linking into the charity’s purple branding — during its Girls’ Day Out event, which will see new seasonal products, special autumn promotions, food and drink tastings, beauty treatments and live entertainment will be on offer throughout the town on the day.

The event will end with a special CLAN-themed lighting display on the exterior of St Magnus Cathedral.

Local folk are being urged to wear something purple for the event, with BID shops and businesses also getting decked out in CLAN colours.

Carly Tait, Kirkwall BID manager, said: “We wanted to mark the arrival of autumn with a fun-filled day of events and seasonal promotions for everyone, but we were also very keen to include a strong charitable element.

“CLAN is a cause very close to the hearts of folk in Orkney, so we’re delighted to be able to partner up with the charity for this special purple-themed Girls’ Day Out.

“It promises to be a fantastic day, with loads of special promotions, events and attractions throughout Kirkwall,” she added.

“We hope to see as many people as possible in the town wearing purple to show their support for CLAN and getting involved with all the fundraising and fun that’s planned.”

She added: “We’re also delighted that St Magnus Cathedral will be floodlit in purple in the evening.

“It’s going to be quite a spectacle and we’re very grateful to Orkney Islands Council and Ian Rushbrook for helping make it happen. It’s an iconic building, one at the very heart of Kirkwall, and it serves as a reminder of just how unique our wonderful town centre is.”

CLAN’s Karen Scott said: “The enthusiasm that each business has shown CLAN Cancer Support in taking part in the Girls’ Day Out event and ‘Going Purple for CLAN’ has been overwhelming and humbling.

“CLAN is now very much part of the Orkney community and proud to be so. It’s going to be great to see purple throughout Kirkwall, and we’d like to say a huge thank-you to all the businesses for taking part. It’s shaping up to be a brilliant Girls’ Day Out, and we look forward to seeing a host of ladies out and about enjoying themselves.”

• Launched in 2013, BID’s aim is to give Kirkwall town centre businesses an opportunity to influence developments that would bring new life to the area, as well as increasing footfall in the town and delivering a strong trading environment to support employment.