Medical equipment fundraiser raises over £8000
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A THURSO woman's crowdfunder appeal for emergency medical equipment has exceeded her initial expectations with over £3000 above the initial target.
Estate agent Yvonne Fitzgerald said she set up the GoFundMe crowdfunding appeal after learning that Caithness General Hospital, the ambulance service and care workers were in desperate need of medical equipment during the current pandemic.
"I normally work around 60 hours a week and being bored at home thought I would channel my energy in to something else," she said.
She called her page "Ventilator and Medical Equipment Fund" and posted a notice on it that she was trying to raise money for ventilators and other essential equipment to help combat coronavirus in Caithness.
The notice also said: "The hospital is still urgently requiring some medical supplies which they are either short of or do not have. Any donation would be gratefully received."
Yvonne said she was overwhelmed by the kindness of local people as well as businesses that have donated and have sent her messages of support.
Though she set an initial target of £5000 when she set the page up at the end of March, the total now stands at over £8000.
"I will be leaving the GoFundMe page running as I want to make sure that as many people as possible get treated here in Caithness rather than Inverness, should they fall ill," she added.
Yvonne said she is also running a "key worker of the week" with £50 vouchers up for grabs for Bews Butchers in Thurso.
"People need to tag them in to our Facebook page and comment as to why they deserve to win.
"Whisky on Tour owner Ian Horne will be engraving a wooden stave as a keepsake with the winner's name on it. I am trying to boost morale for these workers."
She is also running an Easter drawing competition for local kids.
Yvonne's company Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/Yvonne-Fitzgerald-Properties-137503636977939/
To donate to the GoFundMe page follow this link: www.gofundme.com/f/ventilator-and-medical-equipment-fund
