Welcome to the Wick Society

About this recording

Christine Gunn's interest in oxygen therapy began when she attended a Red Cross meeting in 1983. She became a member of the committee which was set up to raise £10,000 to buy a chamber to support people with multiple sclerosis.

During this recording, Christine talks about her involvement as a fundraiser and volunteer chamber operator over the past 40 years. She also talks about the benefits of oxygen therapy and the development of the Healing Hub.

Run by MS Therapy Centre Wick, the barochamber at the Healing Hub Oxygen Therapy Centre Caithness can help people with a wide range of health issues – from multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to sports injuries and, in recent times, long Covid.

The building at the Braehead – formerly the Old Men's Rest – was acquired by the group after it negotiated an asset transfer with Highland Council. A £76,000 refurbishment was carried out, with improvements including the addition of a small parking area to the rear.

The Healing Hub has received financial support from a number of sources, including the Beatrice and Camster wind farms, the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, the Robertson Trust, Tesco Bags for Help, Murkle SWI and Bank of Scotland, and has been selected as one of the Co-op's community charities.

In what proved to be one of his last public engagements before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III officially opened the refurbished Healing Hub on July 29th 2022. He spent more than half an hour chatting with volunteers, users and others associated with the centre as he found out about the benefits of oxygen therapy.

The Duke of Rothesay had opened the original facility in 2005 when the building still belonged to Highland Council.

The volunteers who run the building would be keen to see other community organisations using it for their own meetings and activities.

Anyone wishing to find out more about oxygen therapy, or about hiring the building for meetings, can text or call treasurer/secretary Jan Farrington on 07775 683300 or call Chrissie Gunn on 01955 606726. The centre's phone number is 01955 604586.

A small donation is requested for each session, lasting up to an hour and a half, to cover the expense of the oxygen and to go towards insurance costs and the upkeep of the building.

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