The Iona Community's Welcome Centre nears completion.
Over the winter work has been going apace refurbishing the former shop opposite the Abbey into a new space offering an improved welcome to visitors to the Abbey and Island of Iona and the finishing touches are being made in time for opening later in March.
Hope thrives on hospitality. On Iona, the Community is now entering the last stage of its Growing Hope Appeal which will underpin the £1 million already raised and invested firstly in the development the Camas Centre on Mull during 2007 – where the Iona Community works with disadvantaged and marginalised youngsters - and secondly in 2009 the development (now near completion) of a new Welcome Centre, incorporating the Community's shop, on the Island of Iona where the Community is now able to offer information, resources and exhibitions to island visitors about the Community’s life and concerns, on Iona and beyond.
We are now seeking contributions towards a capital project estimated at £350,000 to provide accommodation for 5 staff members, essential for our ministry of hospitality to guests staying at the Community’s residential centres on Iona and day visitors to the island. This project takes place within the context of an initiative, in which the Community is involved along with a number of public and local organisations are involved, to co-ordinate the promotion of Iona to potential visitors. The current project to develop and improve accommodation for Community's staff will thus contribute significantly to the securing of jobs, which in any rural community is essential to sustain the economy of this remote island and to enable the presentation and interpretation of an important world renowned tourist and pilgrim destination.
The project will see accommodation being provided in a newly constructed extension to the rear of the Community’s Founder, George MacLeod’s landmark island house “Dunsmeorach” situated on the roadside leading to the ancient Abbey. 
Nearly £100,000 has already been raised or pledged for this final phase of the Appeal and with your support and financial contribution you will be helping to realise our aim and see the project’s completion by 2010.
Your donation can be made in 3 ways:
CHEQUE: Send your donation to the Iona Community FREEPOST NAT557 Glasgow G2 3BR with your cheque made payable to The Growing Hope Appeal
BANK TRANSFER: Make a direct payment from your bank account to:
the Iona Community
Growing Hope Appeal Account.
The Co-operative Bank, Gordon St, Glasgow
sort code: 83-91-25. account number: 70697676
CREDIT or DEBIT CARD: Payment can also be made by Credit or Debit Card by telephoning Lynn Harper on: 0141 332 6343
Thank you for your support!
