Teddy bear surprise in store

IF YOU go down to the centre of Elgin on Saturday, January 21 you are sure of a nice surprise.

Because that is the day when the teddies will be out in force in support of the Moray Friends of ARCHIE appeal.

Cuddly creatures and an array of other soft toys will be up for grabs in a special teddy tombola on the Plainstones.

The Moray Friends of ARCHIE have a stall at Elgin Farmers’ Market and they will be offering youngsters the chance to win a cuddly friend.

This is the latest event in the appeal to raise in excess of £100,000 for the children’s ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.

In just eight weeks since it was launched the appeal, which will complement a planned revamp of the ward by NHS Grampian, has reached an amazing £20,000.

Donations of teddies and other toys have been flooding in this week to the offices of ‘The Northern Scot’, which is supporting the appeal.

The star prize up for grabs is a teddy donated by Moray Friends committee member Maggie Thomson which is over 4ft tall.

A talking Winnie the Pooh donated by Bishopmill resident Elaine Adam will also be available.

Moray appeal chairman Chris Saunderson said: "We asked people on our Moray Friends of ARCHIE Facebook site to donate teddies and cuddly toys and we have been overwhelmed by the response.

"People have been so generous, and some fantastic teddies have been handed in who are all looking for a new home."

Mrs Thomson recently launched a knitting challenge in support of the children’s ward and maternity unit at Dr Gray’s and she will have examples of her work one show on Saturday.

Official ARCHIE Foundation merchandise will also be at the stall and people can find out more about the appeal.

The ARCHIE Foundation is the official charity of child health medicine across Grampian and the Highlands. It also supports the children’s wards at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Dr Gray’s and Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.

A number of other Moray events are planned, including a spring ball on May 25.

McDonald’s Restaurant in Elgin is also currently fund-raising for the appeal.

The teddy tombola takes place from 10am to 4pm at Elgin Farmers’ Market.