Fall sparks Caithness family's drive for life-saving services
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A CAITHNESS family has raised over £5000 for the air ambulance service and two hospitals in Aberdeen and Wick.
They decided to embark on their fundraising initiative following the part the medical staff played in getting former local councillor Alastair MacDonald back to health after an accident almost two years ago.
He suffered a head injury when he fell on ice outside his home at Seaview, Hill of Forss, a few days before Christmas 2009.
He was taken to Caithness General Hospital but was later flown by air ambulance to hospital in Aberdeen.
Mr MacDonald underwent an operation to remove a blood clot at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and spent some time in the hospital’s intensive care and high-dependency units.
Following his accident and subsequent recovery, his wife, Margaret, daughters Isobel Campbell and Fiona Chambers – along with other members of the family – decided to raise funds for the air ambulance service and the two hospitals which treated Mr MacDonald.
Mrs MacDonald told the Caithness Courier a “Ready, Steady, Cook” competition was held in the Royal British Legion in Thurso and 2500 raffles were sold for 78 prizes.
Mina Mackay’s Highland dancers also did a sponsored dance for the family as Isobel and Fiona are both former ?pupils.
“Most of the rest of the money came in donations,” said Mrs MacDonald. “The people of Caithness have been very generous and very supportive, and we are very grateful to them for all their help. We are all delighted with the response from the public.
“Over £5300 has been raised so far and there is still some more to come in.
“Any additional money will be split between the air ambulance service and the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.”
Members of the MacDonald family, including Alastair, travelled to Aberdeen earlier this month and presented cheques for £2300 to representatives of the hospital and the air ambulance service.
A cheque for £600 was handed over to Caithness General this week.
Mr MacDonald served as a councillor for many years but was unsuccessful in his bid to get re-elected to the Highland Council in 2007.
However, he continued to play a role in the community and was chairman of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group for a number of years.
He is currently an honorary life member of the group.
