Moray firm's boost for hospital appeal
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A YEAR of fund-raising fun has given an appeal to revamp the children’s ward and family facilities at Dr Gray’s Hospital a massive kick-start.
Staff at the Elgin office of accountancy and business advice firm Johnston Carmichael this week handed over a bumper cheque for £3,414.
The local social committee last year adopted the Moray Friends of ARCHIE as their official charity for the year.
ARCHIE is the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and child health facilities across Grampian.
The last year has seen staff stage a dog show at Moray College, host a coffee morning with local music teacher Jane Ferguson’s choir, hold staff dress down and softie days, raffles and a charity cook book.
They also adopted a tiny bear they nicknamed Archie, and he travelled round the world on business and holiday with staff members, who made a donation to guess how far he had travelled.
Of the money handed over this week, £1,000 will go towards the epilepsy nurse service for children across Grampian.
The remainder of the money raised is the first major donation to the fresh appeal by the Moray Friends of ARCHIE to further improve the children’s ward facilities at the Elgin hospital.
The staff also raised £268 to go towards the Japan Tsunami Appeal and knitted blankets and bonnets for babies born locally.
Craig MacPherson, managing partner of Johnston Carmichael’s Elgin office, and social committee member Gordon Grant handed over the money to coincide with the launch of a new art refurbishment project at the G-Med Department in Dr Grays.
"We’re delighted to be doing our bit for the local community with this donation. The Archie Foundation offers a fantastic service to all those who use it," said Mr MacPherson.
A new waiting room and treatment area have been created specially for children in the A&E and G-Med area of the hospital, with bright and funky new furniture and toys, and exciting artworks.
The move means youngsters having to attend accident and emergency or the G-med department no longer have to wait in the same area as adults.
The Moray Friends of ARCHIE Group was formed two years ago with local volunteers and is linked with local medical staff and the ARCHIE Foundation based in Aberdeen.
The group exists to encourage and support the raising of much needed funds to improve child health facilities locally.
The G-Med service provides out of hours care for local people of all ages from Moray and often has children arriving in the middle of the night to see a nurse or doctor. Medical treatment can often be a scary experience for children and, historically, the environment was not very child friendly, it is hoped the refurbishment of the G-Med department will make a difference to a child’s treatment by ensuring the whole experience is less daunting and stressful for all involved.
The Moray Friends of ARCHIE have been overwhelmed by the donations they have received, with fund-raising activities ranging from a red carpet cinema event to a fun fund-raising quiz night.
David Cunningham, ARCHIE director of fundraising said: "The Moray Friends of ARCHIE Group have been incredibly successful in their efforts to make the waiting area and consultation rooms in the G-Med department of Dr Gays into a more child-friendly, calming and comfortable places to be.
"I would like to extend my thanks to everyone involved in the project for their commitment and enthusiasm – their hard work has clearly paid off.
"The new look waiting room and treatment areas will play an important part in helping younger patients feel more comfortable and relaxed while receiving medical care."
