A prayer vigil is to be held for Jamie Taggart while search parties continue to comb remote areas of northern Vietnam.
The botanist, of Linn Gardens in Cove, disappeared while on a plant-hunting trip in a mountainous area on November 1.
The community is being invited to invited to bring a ‘safe’ light to shine in the darkness during a vigil for Jamie (41), a retained firefighter, at St Modan’s Church in Rosneath at7pm on Sunday January 19.
Rev Christine Murdoch said: “This is our Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service and it just seemed so appropriate to include this request from Liz Pendleton and Jamie’s family to include prayers for Jamie – after all the community were coming together to pray, so let us pray for the safe return of one of our own.
“Our prayers will not only be for Jamie, they will also embrace Jim his father and the rest of the family, along with those searching for Jamie and the diplomatic efforts being made on his behalf. Above all, we are praying for Jamie’s safe return.”
Father George Bradburn of St Gildas’ Church will also be sharing in the service.
No trace of Jamie has been found in Vietnam, but systematic searches are continuing – the work has been hampered by damage to the forest caused recent freak snow falls.
The search parties are currently regrouping in the town of Sapa so they can review and adjust the search plan.
The search is being co-ordinated by Luong Van Hao of the Hoang Lien national park – he is visiting London next week where Jamie’s father Dr Jim Taggart will meet him.
Yellow ribbons for Jamie have been appearing across Cove and Kilcreggan, and local groups and individuals have been donating to the fund set up to help bring him home.
Collecting cans for the appeal to help the search are now in Cove and Kilcreggan post offices, Walkers’ butchers in Kilcreggan, the Lighthouse pub, Knockderry House Hotel, the Buffet Shop in Helensburgh, St Modan’s and Craigrownie churches and GPs’ surgeries in Kilcreggan and Helensburgh.
Contributions towards the cost of the search can be made by a cheque made payable to ‘Friends of the Linn’ with the words, written on the back, “for Jamie”.
The cheque should be sent to Mrs Rie Bellamy, treasurer, Friends of the Linn, Portkil House, Kilcreggan, Helensburgh, G84 0LF.
If a payment is to be made through a bank the details are as follows: Friends of the Linn, Bank of Scotland, Helensburgh branch, sort code 800831, account no 00704064. Again the words ‘for Jamie’ should be used.
A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said this week that they were still in touch with the local authorities and proving consular assistance to the family.
Below are images taken on January 4 of the teams from the national park who are searching for Jamie.
Another fundraising event: Saturday 8 February, 7.30 p.m. Cove and Kilcreggan Film Soc will be holding a Saturday Cinema at Cove Burgh Hall, showing ‘Sunshine on Leith’, based on the fabulous music of the Proclaimers – all proceeds to Jamie Taggart Search Fund. Admission £4. Also Children’s film at 3 p.m. – title to be announced, admission £3. Raffle and Tuck shop, or you’re welcome to bring your own refreshments. More info phone 01436 842633.