Caithness support group gives a helping hand with £23k worth of health equipment
A dedicated group of fundraisers has donated equipment worth nearly £23,000 to health practitioners in Caithness over the last 12 months.
Caithness Heart Support Group revealed the figure at their latest annual general meeting.
It heard that the £22,976 of medical items donated to the county’s two hospitals - Caithness General in Wick and Dunbar in Thurso - plus a GP practice was more than two-and-a-half times more than the previous year.
The amount also included two defibrillators which were donated with one going to Wick and one to Thurso.
Special reference was made to the continuing support of families who donated the proceeds from collections taken at the funeral services of their loved ones.
Tribute was paid to former group chairman, Ernie Ross, who served the group for many years and continued to support the group after stepping down from office.
Group treasurer Caroline Macleod told supporters at the Norseman Hotel, Wick, that the charity’s out-of-season Christmas meal at Mackays Hotel netted just over £1000, while a new fundraiser, a cocktail event, raised £803; and yet another wild-water swim by committee member Elaine Rosie accompanied by Basia Sendecka, added a further £1307 to the group’s bank account.
Iona Simpson helped boost the group’s funds by donating two cakes for raffle prizes.
The group’s accounts were audited by Graham Hay.
Chairman Noel Donaldson paid tribute to everyone who ran events for the group and gave donations even when they were unable to attend some of its fundraisers.
He said: “It’s a measure of their continuing loyalty in helping us to continue providing vital medical equipment which the local hospitals and GP surgeries might not otherwise have obtained.”
Mr Donaldson acknowledged the considerable contribution made to the charity by former chairman Ernie Ross, who passed away earlier in the year.
Office bearers re-elected were: Noel Donaldson (chairman); Laird Sutherland (vice-chairman); Caroline Macleod (treasurer); Marge Donaldson (secretary). Committee members: Elaine Rosie, Emily Fraser, Gladys Gunn, Joan Fraser and Gill Simpson. New members Marie McDonald and Donna Simpson.
