KIND-HEARTED readers have raised cash for our Sick Children’s Appeal in all manner of ways and for a multitude of reasons over the last year.
 Some have held coffee mornings, taken part in sponsored runs or organised fun charity events.
Some simply donate money, perhaps because they know a child who was treated at one of Scotland’s wonderful children’s hospitals. Every Sunday we tell their stories.
Last week Helen
McLaren, from Inverkeithing, sent us a £200 cheque. Her generous donation is in memory of her nephew, Iain, and the care he received many years
ago at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.
Helen’s nephew was born in January 1955 and lived for just
eight months. He spent the final five months of his short life in hospital.
Little
Iain, whose parents — Helen’s sister and brother-in-law — now live in Canada, was only weeks old when doctors diagnosed him as suffering from cystic fibrosis.
His family were told he’d live for just three to five years. But by August that year Iain was dead.
Virus
“He was fine for the first three months of his life,” said Helen.
“But then he was admitted to Dunfermline Hospital. Initially they thought he had a virus. There were lots of children ill with some kind of virus at that time.”
Iain remained at the hospital in Dunfermline for a month before being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh — one of four Scottish children’s hospitals to benefit from cash donated to our appeal.
“He was there for four months,” said Helen. “Doctors discovered it was cystic fibrosis. They were very good looking after Iain. One lady doctor even took photos of him to give to my sister.”
Helen has never forgotten the sensitivity of the dedicated doctors and nurses who cared for Iain all those years ago.
She said, “I’d like to donate
£200 to the Appeal in recognition of the kindness from all the hospital staff at that time.”
 IF YOU have a special reason for contributing to or raising funds
for our appeal then we’d like to hear from you. It could be that you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve provided in your hour of need.
Or perhaps a relative spent time in one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has left a lasting impression
on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason, please let us know.
We’d be delighted to share your experiences with our readers.
And, who knows, it may inspire others to follow in your
fundraising footsteps.
|
