Being told that the Dunblane Centre is a “beacon of hope” to people across the world has made Pam Ross and others more determined than ever that that light should not fade.
At its very heart, the centre is a tangible symbol of the determination of a community to cherish life and rise above the evil which visited the town more than 27 years ago.
The knowledge that it is there because of 17 souls who will never cross its threshold or enjoy what it has to offer is never forgotten.
But neither is the overwhelming outpouring of goodness and generosity which poured into Dunblane from right across the globe to make the centre possible, from people determined to show all those affected that goodness would somehow prevail.
The majority of the funding for the £1.6 million centre came originally from the Stirling Observer Dunblane Help Fund, which ultimately gathered more than £2million of the total £5million raised for the families and the community in the aftermath of the tragedy at Dunblane Primary School in 1996.
While the outpouring of grief in cash and gift donations was appreciated, it was also unprecedented and led to the inevitable questions as to how it should be distributed and spent.
After much thought, the Dunblane Centre was eventually built and opened its doors in 2004.
It has since been a legacy not to what happened that day but to the spirit and energy which then embraced the community in its aftermath.
Just a few short months ago, however, the centre looked to be perilously on the edge of closing having been running at a loss and the levels of volunteers and trustees had depleted in recent years.
When the situation was made known, however, trustees and volunteers - old and new - answered the call, along with others with a host of expertise.
And already the turnaround has begun.
Pam Ross’ involvement in the centre goes to the very heart of its origins and to her and others who lost children in the tragedy its loss was especially unthinkable.
Pam has been involved with the Dunblane Centre in many ways from the very beginning following the loss of her daughter Joanna but is now a “very welcome” new member of the board of trustees.
“We just need everybody to take an interest and take ownership,” said Pam. “Twice in two days we were told by separate people from different parts of the world that the centre was seen as ‘a beacon of hope’.
“While it was important to me, that really brought home what it meant to so many other people and that we should do all we can to make sure it is here for a long time to come.”
While “undergoing a period of transition” and a staffing restructure, the team are already coming up not just with tried and trusted events and ideas, but also new ones to boost the centre’s fortunes.
Chair of the trustees Sue Lockwood said: “The centre is getting busier but we still have huge opportunities to increase usage.
“It has always been important to have the help of our wonderful volunteers at the Dunblane Centre and this has never been more crucial than it is now. We are very encouraged by the number of new volunteers who have offered support over the last two months - and there’s always room for more.
“The more volunteers we have, the more funding we can also attract - so they will not only be helping the centre to run, they will be helping to bring in financial help, perhaps contributing in a way they might not expect.”
Over the summer the centre will honour planned bookings, but some of the usual summer activities won’t happen, with the team using the time to instead regroup and strengthen their plans for the centre going forward, with a host of ideas under consideration include a drop- in youth cafe.
But at the heart of any decisions will be bolstering links with the community and providing welcoming events and activities, while ensuring the centre is on a firm footing for the future - and continuing to keep that beacon of hope alight.
