A Scottish community charity has launched a fundraising appeal after being sued for allegedly banning a dog from entering its café.
Earlier this year, Claire Kellerman accused the Bernera Community Association (BCA) of discrimination and harassment on LinkedIn, stating that she had started legal action.
Kellerman said: “The BCA charity had co-created an environment of vile, intentional, targeted hostility and unwelcome for those who are disabled with assistance dogs.
“I am profoundly honoured to have this opportunity, and the vibrant, robust legal team assisting me,” she added.
It is unclear whether Kellerman’s animal is a support dog.
The 1973-registered charity, based in the outer Hebrides, confirmed that legal proceedings had been raised against it and opened an appeal for public contributions.
BCA, which has two staff members but is primarily run by volunteers, said that the money would go towards centre upkeep and legal costs.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the charity said it was also grappling with high running costs for centre upkeep and needed donations “more than ever”.
On Tuesday, the association said it has raised more than £20,000 from 928 donations.
Kellerman lives on Great Bernera, the island where the charity is based, and is a regenerative farming community designer, according to her LinkedIn.
She is also the adoptive daughter of late US actress Sally Kellerman, who played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in 1970 film M*A*S*H.
Small charity faces battle to save centre
In the year to September 2025, BCA recorded an income of £213,000, above its expenditure of £195,000.
Even without the legal action, the charity said operational challenges were ongoing with fears over the centre’s sustainability.
In its accounts for 2024-25, the charity stated: “It has become clear from recent fundraising attempts that we are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain the level of service and keep the centre going.”
Kellerman’s initiated legal action against Bernera Community Development Trust, an entirely separate charity, the Stornoway Gazette reported.
The trust allegedly accrued legal costs of more than £7,000 before Kellerman’s party admitted in court the action was directed against the wrong organisation and amended it to sue BCA instead.
Kellerman did not respond to a request for comment.
