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Eilidh got ill so Jenny
got going
By Kris Gilmartin
WHEN Jenny Gow’s daughter was diagnosed with a chronic bowel condition, she didn’t know what she could do to help.
 The problem was noticed soon after birth and little Eilidh was taken back into hospital for treatment.
She was in and out of the ward regularly over the next few years as doctors kept a watchful eye on her.
At age four, Eilidh’s condition dramatically worsened and she needed several operations.
Doctors discovered she was suffering from a twisted bowel and as a consequence was struggling to put on any weight.
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 Eilidh’s fine now, but Jenny has never forgotten the care she received in hospital.
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She underwent surgery and received excellent care from the staff at Aberdeen’s kids’ hospital.
Growing up in Ballater, 40 miles west of Aberdeen, it was important the hospital could accommodate Jenny and husband Steve while Eilidh was receiving treatment.
The parent accommodation unit was a vital facility that meant Jenny and Steve could stay close
to Eilidh at all times.
Volunteering
More importantly, the fantastic work and after care that the staff
in Aberdeen carried out inspired Jenny to start some volunteering work.
The ARCHIE Foundation (Aberdeen Royal Children’s Hospital Is Excellent) was the charity set up to raise funds for
the new state-of-the-art children’s hospital.
Once Eilidh was on the road to recovery, Jenny’s enthusiasm for fundraising began to emerge.
“The surgical team were so good and so supportive, and the foundation had just started, so we began doing bits and pieces for them,” explains Jenny.
“It’s six years since I became involved with the volunteering
side of things and the foundation is now known as the ARCHIE fund.
“The Sunday Post’s campaign will hopefully raise the profile of
all four children’s hospitals in Scotland and the charity work that goes on at each one.
“There’s always a desperate shortage of volunteers across Scotland, but if you can’t spare the time to help out then donating to The Sunday Post campaign is a great way to ensure each hospital gets the vital new equipment and facilities they require.
“In many ways The Sunday Post is like one big volunteer, except it manages to talk to more than a million people every Sunday and motivates them to contribute towards a really worthy cause.
“In cases like Eilidh’s, it’s hospital equipment like the endoscopy scope, which The Sunday Post has already featured, that helped doctors make an accurate diagnosis and, for Eilidh, a quick recovery.”
Jenny is now treasurer of the ARCHIE fund. She divides her time between running a popular deli in Ballater, balancing the books for the fund and attending to her daughters Eilidh (9) and Louise (7).
Support
“Because we live in a small village, everyone knew Eilidh was ill and we got loads of support,” she says. “We did all the usual
kind of fundraising things — jumble sales, puppet shows and a fundraising ball. In fact we’ve held three now.
“They don’t have a paid fundraiser at Aberdeen at the moment, so I do some volunteer work supporting other donors.”
One of Jenny’s proudest achievements was the introduction of clown doctors. “We spent some time in Great Ormond Street
where we saw clown doctors — they were just great.
The clowns aren’t qualified medical practitioners but trained play therapists.
They help the kids relax and have as much fun as they can while they’re in hospital.
“The clown doctors are recruited by a separate charity, which organises them throughout Scotland,” says Jenny.
“We actually recruited some from the Aberdeen area and they have a great impact on the kids, they really help them come out of their shells.
“Some of the money raised by The Sunday Post’s readers could even go towards hiring more clown doctors, so any time kids spend in
a hospital environment is as non-intimidating and fun as possible.
“It’s great to see the impact donations can make, as they
really do make a difference to the children and families who need to use the hospitals.
“The money raised by The Sunday Post appeal will make a huge difference to children and their families throughout Scotland and I’m planning to organise a ceilidh in Ballater for the appeal in the near future.
Difference
“Everyone in Scotland has a story of some way their local children’s hospital has made a difference to them or their family.”
As Eilidh quietly reads in the corner, Jenny tells me she’s about to be taken into Banchory for her favourite pastime — gymnastics.
Jenny knows the treatment and aftercare Eilidh received has given her the chance to lead a full and fun-packed life.
Now she’s set her sights on raising as much money as she can, so other little girls will be able to spend their evenings doing cartwheels and having fun with their friends.
“Volunteering is a fantastic way of helping any hospital,” says Jenny.
“I hope we can attract some more volunteers through this article.”
 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 fund-raising footsteps.
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