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The Newport-based Charity, Health Help International (HHI), was 25 in November 2024.  From small beginnings, it has raised almost £4 million pounds to support the most deprived people in Zambia and India.  

Its dedicated team of volunteers give not only their time, energy, expertise and experience freely, but also pay for the UK running costs so that every penny given by its supporters is sent abroad.

Currently its work is in two parts of the world – Monze in the Southern Province of Zambia, and near Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) in the state of Kerala in India as well as in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. 

To celebrate its 25^th anniversary the Charity set itself a target of raising £25,000 to build a new dormitory for disabled students at the Choongo school in Zambia. There were 60 residential students but only 48 beds in the existing dormitory. The appeal for funds met with a great response from its supporters in Wales and England and, thanks to the efforts of SFHHI and with a generous donation from the committee of the Round Strathaven 50, (see the report on the 2026 RS50 in the events section) more than half of the £25,000 which was ultimately raised was generated in Strathaven. 

The new dormitory was successfully built and was opened on 23^rd October 2024 – see details of this in the report in the news section of the visit of Jute Williams and Kath Russell to Zambia.

Following the success of the first Strathaven Open Gardens Day organised by SFHHI in 2025 this was repeated over the weekend of 25^th and 26^th July this year. 

Twelve gardens in all were open to the public, eight on the Saturday and six on Sunday and the visitors loved it. They enjoyed seeing the beautiful gardens which are mostly hidden throughout the year and the owners got the chance to show off the rewards of their labours. There was a steady stream of visitors over the two days and lots of chat about planting, planning, growing and pruning.

Teas, coffees and cakes were available at several gardens which added greatly to the feel good factor on the day. The home grown produce and homemade jams and chutney available at Iain Park’s garden were very popular and all items sold out on day one.

Visitors were encouraged to take photos on their way round and submit their best three to the Photographic Competition. These were judged by a member of the Strathaven Camera Club and prizes were awarded to the best two adult entries and the best junior one. The latter, taken by a Eva Purdie a 14 year old girl, shown centre below, was adjudged to the best of all the entries received. The event was very popular with visitors and garden owners alike and over £2,200 was raised for Health Help International

SFHHI’s  2025 annual Bridge Drive was held again in the Strathaven Golf Clubhouse on Tuesday 16^th November

Following the successful Cafe Bridge Day held earlier in the year this is an alternative less active event offering an afternoon of ‘fun bridge’ It was well supported with sixty players from The Strathaven and Hamilton Bridge Clubs taking part. The support of the Hamilton members was particularly appreciated by the SFHHI committee.  Lunch was provided by the Golf Club prior to play.

The lucky winner of the HHI cake was Mrs Helen Barrie seen below being presented with her prize by SFHHI committee member Helen \Baird.. 

The excellent sum of just over £700 was raised for Health Help International.

Everyone is Welcome

August 16th 2026 saw the 24th hugely popular ‘All-Inclusive’ Round Strathaven Cycle Event take place once again.

Undeterred by the early morning rain, just over 600 cyclists in total enjoyed the stunning Lanarkshire scenery as they tackled their preferred route – either the 50-mile challenge or the shorter 15-mile ride. The keen and enthusiastic 50 milers started at 9.30 and 10.30 and the 15 milers, mainly family groups and less experienced cyclists, set off at 11.30.  Again, this year, the enthusiastic visually impaired cyclists set off with their leaders on their tandems. Everyone is welcome!

The huge sense of achievement felt at the end of the event was further rewarded by tasty refreshments – tea, coffee, homemade cakes and sandwiches provided by the generous Strathaven community. Indeed, those in need of an energy boost as they cycled, could take advantage of refreshments provided along the route.                                   

The organisers think of everything!

As well as paying an entry fee, each person taking part is invited to contribute to the well-being of the community and give a donation to the local food bank, ‘Loaves and Fishes’.

Because of the money raised and the generosity of all those taking part, both HHI and the local Scouts and Guides benefit tremendously. Everyone’s a Winner!

Reflection by Jute Williams, member of the HHI committee, who, along with her husband Alun, came up from the south of England to help us over the weekend and took part in the 15 miles route.                                                                                                                                     We drove up to Strathaven with our bikes and joined the 15 milers. We were impressed to see so many families on bicycles with young children either attached or peddling away very proficiently on their own bicycles. The Lanarkshire scenery is amazing, and the route is well sign posted and well manned. Some of the uphill sections of the journey were a bit challenging but the downhill slopes were exhilarating and fun! 

On behalf of everyone involved with HHI – Trustees, Committee Members, SFHHI, HHZ and those we seek to serve, we say a heartfelt thank you for your continuing support.  

Cafe Bridge Days are relatively new in the UK but such events have been enjoyed on the Continent for a number of years. At these, players move between a number of prearranged venues and play several hands of bridge in each.

SFHHI hosted its first Cafe Bridge Day in June 2023. Similar successful events have been held each year since then and our fourth Strathaven Cafe Bridge Day was held on Wednesday 10th June this year. Supported by the members of the Strathaven and Hamilton Bridge Clubs and with visitors from around the country including a party of 10 from London a total of 68 players took part. Avondale Church again generously allowed us the use of its premises for registration and for the control of the event throughout the day. From there the players headed out to the first of their playing venues. Six local cafes and restaurants had kindly allowed us the used of their facilities and after the first session the players moved around the town playing a number of hands in each of them, enjoying lunch half way round and returning to the church for prize-giving. 

At the end of what had been a very successful day some of the members of the SFHHI committee joined their London visitors for a meal in the Taal restaurant and afterwards gave them conducted tours  around the town.

As a result of the day’s activities the excellent total of £2,200 was raised on behalf of Health Help International