Club Meeting

Crosshouse Children's Fund

Rebekah McGinn

Ayrshire charity Crosshouse Children’s Fund will host a series of special events in recognition of its fifth anniversary this year, as it continues to help over 25,000 babies and children in hospital annually. Formed in 2019, the fund has invested more than £350,000 in projects and services for young people in that time, And their work has included amazing treats for young people like Kilwinning's Jaxon, aged seven, who got to meet some Star Wars legends.

Speaking to members of the Rotary Club of Hunterston, Rebekah McGinn, fundraising manager for the charity, said that in the last 12 months, the fund had helped even more babies and young children across requiring hospital care across Ayrshire. She explained: “Our ambition is to improve the experience that children and their families have in hospital.

"During the last year, our supporters helped us reach more young patients than ever before who had either been admitted to University Hospital Crosshouse in an emergency or as part of a longer-term journey, often during some of the most difficult days of their lives.

“In order to deliver the many projects and services, we rely on support from a wide cross section of public and private organisations, as well as our amazing fundraisers in the Ayrshire community and individual donors.

"Their donations and fundraising efforts have allowed us to invest over £350,000 in vital projects and services for children across the NHS Ayrshire and Arran health board area.”

Crosshouse Children’s Fund uses donations to provide specialist equipment and services for Ayrshire Maternity and Neonatal Unit, the children’s wards at University Hospital Crosshouse, Rainbow House at Ayrshire Central, and to community clinics across Ayrshire and Arran.

These have included family support services, medical equipment, research, medical equipment and enhancements, bringing colour and tranquillity to young visitors.

A recent example of Crosshouse Children’s Fund in action could be found on Star Wars Day, May 4, when they organised a visit from the kind-hearted Imperial Scottish Garrison. Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper were the bad guys turned good for a day, as they stopped by to talk to patients like Kilwinning's Jaxon, aged seven.

Jaxon’s mum, Andrea, said: “The visit really excited him and got him out him out of his bed. He almost forgot he was ill.

"Jaxon absolutely loves Star Wars. I think he has every single one of their LEGO sets, so you can imagine how many family members have been told about his trip to hospital.

“Jaxon was discharged home a few hours after the visit and is doing really well now, thanks to the excellent care he received at Crosshouse Hospital.

"Thank you so much to Crosshouse Children's Fund for organising the visit, what an amazing thing to do for the kids.”

Over the next 12 months, you can support the charity through a series of activities including participation in events such as the Great Scottish Run, the Kiltwalk, workplace fundraising, and dress down days in educational establishments.

For its fifth anniversary, the fund is also hosting an online raffle, which will run from June to August via its website, and include a host of prizes including an overnight stay for two at Auchrannie Resort, electronic tablet, family voucher for Heads of Ayr Farm Park, four tickets to Goldilocks and the Three Bears Kilmarnock pantomime, fourball at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club, fourball at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club and afternoon tea at SimpsInns.