Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Heather Gordon, Alicia Tait and Tracy McGillivray from Laurencekirk Bowling Club on winning the Barclay Harvey Coutts cup for the third consecutive year; understands that they played against Stonehaven in the final of the tournament, which was hosted by Banchory Bowling Club; notes that the tournament is named after Sir Charles Malcolm Barclay Harvey who was the Kincardineshire and West Aberdeenshire MP from 1923 to 1929 and from 1931 to 1939, before moving to South Australia to take up the role of Governor from 1939 until 1944; further notes that the Barclay Harvey Coutts tournament has been played annually since 1926; recognises that the competition features clubs from Aberdeenshire and the former Kincardineshire areas, and wishes the competitors all the best as they celebrate their win.

That the Parliament welcomes the recent funding awards totalling £20,149 by the 4Winds Trust to local community groups across Lochgelly and Lumphinnans; understands that the 4Winds Trust is supported by Kennedy Renewables as part of its community benefit scheme, following the creation of the Little Raith Wind Farm; further understands that the benefit is paid quarterly to provide support to local groups that align with the aims of the trust throughout the year; notes that the groups awarded funding include the Lochgelly West Primary School Parent Council, which received £5,000 towards the refurbishment of the school playground, making it safer and more enjoyable at playtime for pupils; further notes that Lochgelly Albert Colts 2012 received £500, Lochgelly Gala received £1,864, Lumphinnans Hearts FC received £1,500, and Lumphinnans Community Council received £1,500, with groups in Auchtertool also benefiting from funding; recognises what it sees as the benefit that this brings to local community groups at a time when it considers that funding is diminishing, and thanks the trustees of the 4Winds Trust and Kennedy Renewables for their commitment to the local community.

That the Parliament recognises Ryan Rafferty, of Lochgelly High School, on being named as Youth Community Champion of the Year at the Dunfermline Press Community Champions Awards 2024; understands that Ryan had started as a young ambassador while at school, which spurred his passion for volunteering; recognises that he has been involved in the leadership programmes for the last two and a half years; notes that he is a highly motivated and enthusiastic young man with a real desire to get more young people in Lochgelly and the surrounding community active; recognises that he has amassed over 200 hours of volunteering over the last 12 months, including giving up his own time over the school holidays to deliver sports coaching sessions to primary-aged children; commends Ryan for his dedication to both his local community and sports, and wishes him all the very best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Judith Barton, of Aberdour, on being recognised and honoured at the recent Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) See Differently Awards ceremony, held in London; understands that Judith volunteers with the sight loss charity, Seescape; notes that Judith is recognised as an "unsung hero" for her role in cutting waiting times for vision rehabilitation in Fife by 60%; recognises that she has worked in the sector for more than 40 years, and worked at Seescape before retiring in 2012, becoming its first dual qualified rehabilitation officer in 1999; understands that, since returning as a volunteer in 2023, Judith's specialist knowledge and expertise has meant that waiting times for rehab have fallen from three months to a few weeks; recognises that Judith also volunteers as a braille teacher and for the Macular Society in Fife; commends Judith for her volunteering, and wishes her all the best in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Kenneth Muir, founder of MorphFit Gentle Movement Project, based in Hamilton, where its gentle movement programme has helped support hundreds of people with their physical and mental health, on being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in The King's Birthday Honours List 2024; acknowledges that Kenneth received the award for services to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, and wishes Kenneth the very best in all his future endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Natalie McLaughlan, of Rosyth, on being named Champion Teacher of the Year at the Dunfermline Press Community Champions Awards 2024; understands that, having set up her school, which runs on Mondays and Thursdays from Rosyth Community Centre, she is keen to ensure that price is not a barrier to taking part for local families; recognises that, despite hall hire and costume costs, sessions are free for anyone with hardship issues; understands that her classes currently boast around 30 youngsters, whom she teaches with passion; notes that she also gives up her time to go around local schools to inspire young children to take up highland dancing; commends Natalie for all the work that she has done that led to this award, and wishes her all the best for the future.

That the Parliament notes with concern the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where, according to Oxfam, at least 37,658 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, in addition to 86,237 people injured, and more than 10,000 people missing, presumably under rubble and awaiting recovery; understands that, of those missing, Save the Children has said that thousands of them are believed to be children, and has stated that "it is nearly impossible to collect and verify information under the current conditions in Gaza but at least 17,000 children are believed to be unaccompanied and separated and approximately 4,000 children are likely missing under the rubble, with an unknown number also in mass graves"; further understands that, in addition, at least 1,512 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 312 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, the vast majority on 7 October 2023, with an estimated 120 Israelis and foreign nationals remaining captive in Gaza, including fatalities whose bodies are being withheld; considers that the eight months of relentless violence in Gaza has led to a grave humanitarian situation, with figures released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification showing that 96% of the population of Gaza is facing acute food shortages, and more than 495,000 people, including children, are facing starvation due to an extreme lack of food, in addition to risks of epidemic, injury and disease; further considers that this situation represents a human tragedy of unimaginable scale, and calls on the international community, including the UK Government, to do more to de-escalate the conflict and to urgently assist with the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza.

That the Parliament congratulates Gerald Lobley, from Kemnay, on being appointed an MBE in The King’s Birthday Honours for his services to chess in Scotland; notes that Gerald has volunteered for half a century to organise competitions and coaching sessions for people of all ages in north east Scotland, instructing future generations on how to play the traditional board game; further notes that he has been able to help many young people in north east Scotland to access coaching and competitions, irrespective of their socioeconomic background, by offering free entry to clubs and contests through his involvement in the management of the North East Junior Chess Association; notes that he recently helped refugees from Ukraine play the game under his tutelage, and wishes Gerald all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the volunteers at Oor Wee Cafe, in Kelty, on their recent success in winning the Tackling Poverty Award at the Fife Voluntary Action Awards; understands that the cafe was born out of a community need, when a group of individuals approached Fife Council for support as they wanted to create an accessible and affordable cafe, a welcoming space for local residents to meet and support one another while enjoying healthy home cooked food, while also trying to eliminate food wastage; thanks Fife Council and Kelty Community Centre for all the support that they have provided to Oor Wee Cafe since its opening in August 2018; understands that, on average, over 50 people attend the cafe every week; recognises that agencies such as Citizens Advice, Fife Law Centre and Social Security Scotland have held clinics there to support individuals; believes that Oor Wee Cafe is a shining example of community spirit and resilience, and wishes it all the very best for the future.

That the Parliament notes the success of the Benarty Pipe Band and Highland Dancing Competition, which was held on 22 June 2024, at Lochore Meadows Country Park; understands that the event continues to welcome people from the local community and further afield, making it a great family day out; further understands that the competition attracts bands and dancers from all across the country to compete together; thanks the Chieftain, Tom Brown, who ensured the smooth running of the competition; further thanks Sarah Hendrie for organising the efficient Highland Dancing Competition; commends all volunteers who stepped up and helped to ensure that the day was a success; recognises the Benarty Events Group, which plans and organises this event as part of the Gala Week, and wishes everyone involved all the very best for the future.