Crossbasket Castle fundraiser for Smile Children's Charity

The glittering event on November 8 will raise funds for the charity's plans to open a retreat at a former Stonehouse nursing home.

A Lanarkshire charity bidding to create a respite centre for children with serious illnesses and their families is getting set to stage its inaugural fundraising ball in support of the ambitious plans.

Smile Children’s Charity is hosting a glittering black-tie event at Crossbasket Castle near Blantyre on Saturday, November 8 – with all proceeds going towards their plans to transform the derelict former Canderavon nursing home in Stonehouse into a much-needed retreat and community hub.

Organisers are promising an “unforgettable evening” and a “magical night of elegance, excitement [and] culinary delights”, with tickets for the event at the luxury venue already selling fast to supporters bidding to help towards the good cause’s project.

Smile was founded last year by local couple Wendy and Stephen Meek in memory of their 10-year-old son Justin, who had a life-limiting genetic condition and who tragically died on a family holiday to Florida in September 2014.

Youngest daughter Charlotte, a pupil at Lanark Grammar, has a similar rare and undiagnosed condition which causes underlying health issues and spent weeks in intensive care in Spain and back home in Scotland earlier this year following a lung haemorrhage, but has since “recovered really well” and is back supporting the charity’s projects.

The charity opened a fundraising shop in Larkhall in October 2024 in support of their plans for a respite centre offering free breaks to young people aged up to 25 and their loved ones, “to offer care, comfort and calm to families navigating the challenges of childhood disability and serious illness”.

Now they aim to submit an official community asset transfer application to South Lanarkshire Council next month, to take ownership of the former nursing home on Queen Street and create respite accommodation, relaxing gardens and community facilities including a hall, kitchen and office space.

Guests at the glittering Crossbasket Castle fundraiser will be welcomed by a piper before enjoying a sparkling drinks reception and a three-course gourmet meal created by Michel Roux Jr for the five-star venue.

Lanarkshire musician Daniel Rooney – who shot to fame last year when he was plucked from playing in a Glasgow hotel bar to open at short notice for Take That on stage at the Hydro – will provide live entertainment, followed by the ORA Vibes after party with DJ Katy J of Capital Radio.

Gina McKie of Go Radio is hosting the event, which will also include an auction and raffle in support of Smile’s mission to support children and families with a retreat as well as a programme including regular holistic treatments for carers.

Tickets cost £75 per person and £750 for a table of 10, and are available by emailing smilechildrenscharity@gmail.com or contacting the charity through their Facebook page.

Standing for Special Memories In Lanarkshire Every day, founder Wendy previously told how the charity’s vision is “for families to have respite, relax, recharge, have fun and spend quality time together making memories” at a tranquil rural retreat as the organiation provides emotional, practical and social support.

Wendy previously told the Hamilton Advertiser how the Canderavon building – which has lain empty for three years and needs roof and internal repairs – and its gardens would be “ideal” for the charity, which supports 500 families per year; and that the proposals have been welcomed by the local community.

She said: “It’s a large building and we envision it with half being used as a respite house and the becoming a community hub; it’s in a beautiful semi-rural location which would allow families to come and get away from it all in a really lovely place.

“People have been really positive and the feedback has been that it’s fantastic for community, and that it would be wonderful to see the facility being used and not going to rack and ruin; although it’s currently damaged, it’s not irreparable and it would be a shame not to retrieve the building and garden and transform it.”

*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.