A SPECIALIST Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) ambulance is helping to save the lives of children across Scotland thanks to a fundraising drive by Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.
The ambulance, which is used to transport critically ill children to Yorkhill Hospital whilst receiving intensive care treatment, cost £120,000 and was indentified by the charity as a vital addition to the equipment and services used by Yorkhill Hospital to help thousands of children from all over Scotland each year.
The money for the vehicle has been raised through a variety of events hosted by Yorkhill Children’s Foundation and through the generous support and efforts of two key sponsors – Colin McRae Vision, a charity set up by the rally car driver’s father Jim, and Spifox, the Scottish construction and property industry charity who raise money for children’s charities in Scotland.
The annual Yorkhill Dinner raised over £60,000, which contributed towards the purchase of the vehicle, and was added to by two hugely generous sponsor’s donations.
£35,000 was gifted by Colin McRae Vision and a further £25,000 by Spifox.
The vehicle, which has been operational for the last few months and already helped save 45 infant’s lives, was officially unveiled at an event hosted by Yorkhill Children’s Foundation this week to specially thank Colin McRae Vision and Spifox for their much appreciated and most generous support.
David Welch, director of Fundraising at Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, said: “The provision of the PICU ambulance and equipment, at a cost of £120,000, was only possible through the kindness and generosity of our donors and key sponsors.
“We are extremely grateful for such generous support which has allowed the introduction of a unique paediatric ambulance that will save so many children’s lives.”
Sandra Stark, Advanced Nurse Practitioner/Retrieval Co-ordinator at Yorkhill Hospital said: “We are so grateful to Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, Spifox and Colin McRae Vision for providing the funding for the PICU ambulance as it makes such a huge difference to the lives of children and babies from all over Scotland.
“Since having the ambulance we have already provided vital support to 30 infants and 15 neonates.”
Jim McRae, trustee and dounder of Colin McRae Vision, said: Everyone at the Vision is absolutely delighted to have been involved in such a worthwhile project.
“The Colin McRae Vision charity was set up to help promote children’s health and education all over the world and it has been especially rewarding to have been able to support the fundraising for a project so close to home.”
Gordon Johnstone, of Spifox, said: “The sole objective of Spifox is to raise funds during the business year for the benefit of children in Scotland, enabling the purchase of equipment and the provision of facilities to better perform the function of caring.
“Spifox were delighted to participate in the funding of this vital equipment, which clearly encapsulates our stated objective. It is great to see the PICU Ambulance on the road and we are proud to be associated with the project.”
ENDS
For more information please contact Lally Cowell at Mcgarvie Morrison Media on
T: 0141 221 9041 / E: lally@mmm.pr
Notes to editors
- The paediatric ambulance is equipped with much of the vital equipment needed to deliver intensive care on the move.
- The ambulance provides a safe and comfortable environment for the child as well as the emergency team.
- A DVD player has been fitted which helps keep children awake, keep them calm or distract them from the journey they are on.
- There is enough space for a family member to travel with their child.
- The ambulance is based at Yorkhill and is checked every day by a dedicated team of drivers.
- The ambulance is used for all journeys up to about two hours driving time – any distances over and above two hours uses either the helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft.
- The furthest distance that the ambulance has travelled is to Dumfries and Galloway General Hospital to treat a little boy who required intensive care support at Yorhill Hospital.
Yorkhill Children’s Foundation funds innovative medical equipment, improvements in child and family facilities, paediatric research and training, patient and family support, entertainment and fun activities for children and other projects and service enhancements invaluable to the treatment, care, physical and mental wellbeing of sick children and babies, and their families, from throughout Scotland and beyond.
Yorkhill Children’s Foundation was established in 2001 and is the only charity that supports the whole of Yorkhill Hospital as well as related paediatric and obstetric services and facilities throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). These include obstetric, neonatal and paediatric services at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, the Southern General Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital. We also support specialist children’s services including Child Development Centres and children’s mental health services, based in Community Health Partnerships (CHPs) and Community Health and Care Partnerships (CHCPs) within NHSGGC.
www.yorkhill.org
Telephone 0141 201 6917
Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, 5th Floor QMH, Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow G3 8SJ
Registered in Scotland as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee.
Scottish Charity Number SC007856 Company No 222439
MEDIA RELEASE posted by MMM. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Lally Cowell
Email: lally@mmm.pr
Website: http://www.mmm.pr
