£1700 boost for marathon mums

Two mothers preparing to run the New York Marathon to help sick children have been given a £1713 fund-raising boost by pupils at the Inverness Gaelic School.

Gillian MacLennan and Rachel Chandler are undertaking the challenge in November to raise funds for a new children’s department at Raigmore Hospital.

They were inspired to sign up for the event after Keir MacGruer, a pupil in their daughters’ class at the school, died one year ago after a long illness.

With training well under way, the two women invited the school’s 200 pupils and nursery children to go the distance cumulatively.

The pupils’ efforts not only helped in raising funds but also provided a morale booster for the two women who will be among a team running for the ARCHIE Foundation which launched a £2 million appeal in conjunction with The Inverness Courier to create a more child-centred children’s department at Raigmore.

Mrs Chandler, a vet at Crown Vets in Inverness, was delighted with the amount raised.

"We got such a lot of lovely support from the parents," she said. "It will give us a big boost for when we go."

She explained why she and Mrs MacLennan, a teacher at the city’s Cauldeen Primary, had signed up for the marathon.

"The work of the staff and the facilities at Raigmore children’s department are dear to all parents’ hearts and the wider community," she said. "We were inspired to raise money for the ARCHIE Foundation after a young boy in our daughters’ class sadly died after a long illness."

Keir MacGruer, of Grigor Drive, Lochardil, died in September last year, aged eight, while waiting for a lung transplant.

Although he had been diagnosed with severe idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung disease which causes dangerously high blood pressure near the heart, he was determined to support the appeal. Just days before he died, he celebrated the news he had raised at least £2500 from an exhibition and sale of his original artwork and handmade cards.

James Lyon, head teacher at Inverness Gaelic School, described the pupils’ efforts as fantastic and pointed out the original fundraising target of £1500 had been exceeded by more than £200.

"I think it also helps to create a legacy for Keir — it was a good way to keep his memory alive for the children," he said.

The new department will combine children’s services and appropriate teenager facilities under one roof. It aims to provide children with a friendly environment to take the fear out of being in hospital and parents with the support to reduce the stress and problems of having a sick child in hospital.

Donations for the women’s New York marathon challenge can be made at www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Chandler2013