Churches support appeal effort
CONGREGATIONS in Moray singled out the Dr Gray’s children’s ward appeal for special attention at Christmas.
And the generosity of the Roman Catholic communities in Elgin, Tomintoul and Dufftown added up to a massive £3,000 boost for the Moray Friends of ARCHIE appeal, taking the total to almost £20,000 just eight weeks after it was launched.
"The three parts of our pastoral area chose this charity for special attention at recent Christmas services," said Fr Colin Stewart of St Sylvester’s in Elgin.
The money was raised through collections at masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Appeal chairman Chris Saunderson said he was overwhelmed by the contribution made by the congregations.
"This is a fantastic donation, and a terrific boost as we start 2012," he said.
David Cunningham, chief executive of the ARCHIE Foundation, said: "I am delighted with the support shown so far. The people of Moray have been so generous, and while there is a long way to go, we know that with their support, we will get there.
"ARCHIE is more part of the fabric of children’s health than at any time in the past.
"It is when we are working with local communities with front-line staff that we can make the biggest difference."
Mr Cunningham was speaking during a visit to Moray this week, where he was updated on the incredible response since the appeal was formally launched at Dr Gray’s on November 19 last year.
The ARCHIE Foundation was founded in September, 2000 with the intention of supporting a new sick children’s hospital in Aberdeen. That raised a staggering £5 million towards the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
After completing that project and a period in abeyance, the charity was resurrected in 2007 to support child health medicine across Grampian and the Highlands, and now has support groups all over the North of Scotland.
Last year it launched a £1 million appeal to create a new children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
The £100,000 plus appeal for the eight-bed children’s ward at Dr Gray’s will enhance a planned redevelopment of the ward by NHS Grampian. The Moray Friends group has already completed one project at Dr Gray’s when it helped pay for child-friendly improvements to the G-Med, A&E and theatre areas of the hospital.
Moray Friends of ARCHIE will have a stall at the Elgin Farmers’ Market on Saturday, January 21, offering appeal goodies and a cuddly toy lucky dip. Committee member Maggie Thomson, who is doing a sponsored knit in support of the appeal and the maternity unit at Dr Gray’s, will also have some examples of her work at the stall.
McDonald’s restaurant in Elgin is also currently fund-raising for the appeal.
