A mother and son who completed a late-night race to raise money for sick youngsters are encouraging others to help.
Lynn Bowers (43) and 10-year-old Sam completed the Kelpies Supernova race to raise an impressive cash for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).
The pair, who are both been keen supporters of the charity, opted for the late night race and managed to increase momentum before the big day and gained an impressive number of sponsors to cheer them on.
Lynn, from Broxburn, said: “Thankfully we’ve only ever had minor visits to the hospital but as I do a lot of work there, I often see first-hand the brilliant work the charity does to support children and their families while at the hospital.
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“My son and I wanted to do our piece to support the charity and the Supernova proved to be the perfect opportunity to do just that. I think Sam and I would both agree that it was an amazing experience and lots of fun to see the Kelpies all brilliantly lit up as we jogged past.
“We are definitely keen to continue to do fundraising activities to support the charity and also help spread the word of the work it does outwith Edinburgh.”
They raised £200 in what was the second time the duo has fundraised for the charity, after organising a successful bake sale the previous year.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of the ECHC, said: “We are so grateful for help of Lynn and Sam, their donation will help support the work we do which ensures children and young people in hospital get to be a child first and patient second.
“Fundraisers and supporters like Lynn and Sam are of vital importance to us, it is because of people like them that we can continue our work not just at the Royal Hospital for Sick Kids but at St John’s too.”
Lynn’s praise comes following ECHC launching a new campaign within the West Lothian community to help raise at least £7000 for a state-of-the-art new ultrasound probe to be installed at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, which experts say will help put youngsters at ease when being examined.
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Medics say a new ultrasound probe designed specifically for children would bring benefits on multiple levels for youngsters who require a scan.
New equipment would also deliver superior images and improve diagnostic quality and would mean that children can receive scans closer to home.
Children and young people are referred for a scan for a number of different reasons.
These range from head scans for neonatal babies, kidney scans for urine infections to scans on other parts of the body to check out lumps and other problems.
Roslyn continued: “While people mostly associate us with working in the city, in fact we are heavily involved in projects wherever children are treated.
"Indeed, we’re very proud of our track record particularly at St John’s Hospital in West Lothian.
"This latest project to raise money for a Paediatric Ultrasound Probe is exactly the kind of project we love to be involved in and we are sure the community across West Lothian will get fully behind such a worthwhile cause.”
Individuals, schools and businesses are all encouraged to get involved in any way they can. A list of activities and events such as sky dives or marathons that anyone can get involved in can be seen on the ECHC website.
Anyone who is interested in organising or holding a fundraising event can contact the fundraising team on 0131 668 4949 or hello@echcharity.org and will be provided with a helpful pack that offers a host of guidance, tips and advice.
