New Highlands regional fundraising officer for children's charity the Archie Foundation urges businesses to buy a 'brick' in a wall of support as it celebrates a decade in the region
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Businesses are being urged to help a children's charity celebrate a decade in the region by buying a 'brick' in a wall of support.
Karen Mangan, the new Highlands regional fundraising officer for the Archie Foundation, has launched the #110 campaign in a bid to sell 110 bricks at £100 each before the end of the year.
Each one, containing the sponsor's name, will be added to the wall which is displayed on the Highland Children's Unit at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
She hopes companies will be inspired to buy one, pointing out the amount over the anniversary year equates to £1.89 a week.
Individuals are also welcome to sponsor a brick.
"It is also about raising awareness of the Archie Foundation – we do so much more than sometimes people realise," Ms Mangan said.
"The Archie Foundation is there to help people right across the Highlands.
"It is a charity which helps anyone with a sick child who needs it. When you have sick children, you are so worried."
The Archie Foundation first came to the region in March 2011 when it linked up with the Inverness Courier to raise funds to refurbish the children’s ward.
Thanks to massive public support, it ultimately delivered a more ambitious project with the opening of the Highland Children’s Unit in 2016.
More than 5000 children go through the doors of the unit each year.
"We provide emergency grants to families," Ms Mangan said.
"If a child unexpectedly or urgently goes into hospital, often it results in one parent not being able to work. It is a worry on top of worry."
Over the past year, the charity has supported 74 families across the north of Scotland with emergency grants totalling more than £20,000 and more than 20 families with specialist equipment and medical aids to make life easier at home.
It has also approved 30 applications from NHS staff for items such as specialist equipment, books and toys as well as supporting 13 members staff over the last 18 months to the amount of £5000 in their personal development despite training being curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Although fundraising income has decreased by 67 per cent since the start of the pandemic, the charity has several projects it is keen to bring to fruition including Journey to the Theatre which will make the transfer of young patients from the unit along hospital corridors to the operating theatre more child-friendly.
Ms Mangan is also keen to recruit volunteers – currently, there is just one – to help in a wide range of roles.
Originally from Ireland, she moved to the Highlands in 2014 and has a background in sales, marketing and hospitality as well as being involved in various fundraising ventures as a volunteer.
"I am very proud to be working for a charity which does such amazing work," she added.
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