Superhero designs set to help appeal

Original artwork by a young boy battling a rare lung disease will be sold tomorrow to raise money for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal.

Keir MacGruer, who is awaiting a lung transplant, often passes the long hours during regular visits to the ward, or at home, drawing detailed superhero-type figures.

The eight-year-old is now inviting people to come along to an exhibition of his work at the Inverness Gaelic School — Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis — in Slackbuie.

Limited edition silkscreen prints of one of his designs will be on sale, plus sets of hand-made cards. There will also be a chance to win a framed print in a raffle and to name a print and win it while young visitors can colour in some of Keir’s designs.

The P4 pupil lives with his parents Lewis MacGruer and Angela Cran and 11-year-old brother Finn in Grigor Drive, Lochardil.

Nearly three years ago he was diagnosed with severe idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, a condition which causes dangerously high blood pressure near the heart. His condition means he is permanently on oxygen, takes a daily cocktail of drugs and has to undergo monthly tests and often he is unable to walk far.

Since the diagnosis, he has had several stays in hospital, ranging from three or four days to almost one month.

He and his family are determined to help boost the £1 million appeal launched by the ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with The Inverness Courier to redevelop the existing ward into a more welcoming place for sick children and their families.

A family friend, Katy Spong, an Argyll-based artist who does her own printmaking work at the Highland Print Studio in Inverness, came up with the idea of turning one of Keir’s designs into prints.

He and his brother spent an afternoon working with staff at the studio in Bank Street to produce the silkscreen prints. The studio also donated the high quality paper and ink, while Karen Sutherland, a graphic artist with Highland Council, helped design publicity material for the exhibition.

Ms Cran said the family is hoping to raise as much money as possible and urged people to come along.

"Keir is really looking forward to the day," she said. "He is also hoping to serve canapes at the event."

* The exhibition is between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.