Jura turns pain into pounds for Raigmore

A young girl’s misfortune while cycling close to home turned into a £50 boost for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal.

Jura Mackenzie, of High Street, Ardersier, broke her arm when she came off her bike during a race against her dad.

But the entrepreneurial eight-year-old invited staff and pupils at Ardersier Primary School plus family and friends to sign her plaster cast in return for donation.

Mum Dawn Mackenzie said when the accident happened, Jura had been going at a "remarkable" speed. Initially, they thought she had twisted it and she cycled all the way home.

It was only the following day, when Jura was still in pain, they went to Raigmore Hospital.

"It was very busy while we were in the accident and emergency department and so we had quite a bit of time to wait," Mrs Mackenzie explained.

"We had time to think and Jura decided if her arm was broken, she would charge people to sign the cast."

When the cast came off after four weeks, she called in to the ARCHIE Foundation office at Raigmore Hospital with the money she had raised.

The £1 million appeal was launched last year by the Aberdeen-based ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with The Inverness Courier to create a more child-centred and family-friendly ward. So far, an incredible £843,000 has been raised thanks to a wide variety of fundraising efforts by individuals, groups and businesses.

It is hoped that development work will start early next year on the new-look department which is set to feature a new entrance, improved recovery and emergency assessment spaces plus an emphasis on space for play.

* See tomorrow's Inverness Courier for news of a fundraising music and dance extravaganza.