Inverness family joins campaign
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Nicola O'Hara with sons 11-year-old Ben and Riley (15 months)
Peter and Nicola O’Hara, of Greenwood Place, Milton of Leys, are holding a coffee morning next month to say thank-you for the care of their sons, 11-year-old Ben and 15-month-old Riley.
In the first few months of his life, Riley had to undergo surgery three times for an abdominal problem. The surgical team included Professor George Youngson, a trustee of the ARCHIE Foundation which last month launched the £1 million appeal in conjunction with The Inverness Courier to develop a more family-friendly and child-centred ward.
When Mr and Mrs O’Hara read about it in the Courier, they felt inspired to give their support.
“We met Professor Youngson a few times and when we read about him launching the appeal, we thought it was a worthy cause,” Mrs O’Hara said.
“The staff there are amazing. They are absolutely wonderful but the surroundings are not very good, especially for babies when they are there for operations.
“We were on the ward’s main day case unit with other parents, for example, and I was breastfeeding Riley. I thought it would have been nice to have a pleasant calming area.”
Ben, meanwhile, was also admitted to the ward after breaking his arm in two places in a cycling accident.
“It would nice for older children to have facilities which are more suitable for their age group,” Mrs O’Hara said.
Having heard about the type of facilities available for children at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, the couple feel young patients at Raigmore deserve the same.
The coffee morning will be held at the Raigmore Community Centre on 14th May between 10am and noon.
There will also be home baking, a bottle stall and a raffle for which prizes are being sought. Prizes donated so far include a signed Ross County shirt, a round of golf, MOTs and bottles of wine and champagne.
Anyone willing to donate prizes should call 07890 147349.
