Another fantastic milestone for our campaign

By Colin Grant OUR wonderful readers are not only the most generous and caring in the world — they’re also the most consistent. Since August 26, 2001, they have donated around £100,000 a month to our Hospice Appeal.  It means that as we reach the end of the 15th month of our campaign, the total raised is £1.5 million.

Kyle and Liam Blain.

That’s a remarkable sum of money and CHAS are absolutely thrilled. The charity’s Director of Finance, John Rae, said, “The readers of The Sunday Post are to be congratulated for helping us raise so much. It’s a magnificent effort and great news for the new hospice.” CHAS Chief Executive, Agnes Malone, added, “We can’t thank The Sunday Post and its readers enough for what they’ve done. They have proved time after time during the past 15 months that they really care about the children and their families who need a new hospice.” Contributions have come in all shapes and sizes from all ages, all walks of life and all over the world.  Most amazing But most amazing has been the response of children touched by the plight of the youngsters who need the facilities a new hospice can offer. They include Abigail Cullis from Glasgow, who went to great lengths to raise funds. The nine-year-old is a P5 pupil at Fernhill Primary School and last month she decided to organise a piano recital in aid of our campaign. Abigail’s friend Hannah Tayloraccompanied her on the flute, along with dad Stephen on the accordion and her piano teacher, Larinda Loch.  Fifteen family and friends were invited and all had to pay an admission fee. At the end of the show she’d raised £200.  The pupils of Merrylee Primary School, Glasgow contributed £520.36 after holding a healthy eating workshop. Head Teacher Liz Mahindru says, “It was a most enjoyable day and our children were delighted with the amount raised.” Then there are nine-year-old twins Kyle and Liam Blain (above). They’re both keen Sunday Post readers — but it’s not just The Broons and Oor Wullie that interest the Melrose youngsters. For the past year, they’ve been avidly following our campaign.  They look forward to reading about the children at Rachel House and, of course, the weird and wonderful ways people have been raising money. They wanted to contribute themselves so when they heard about the Sunday Post Marafun, in September at Traquair, it seemed the perfect opportunity. After getting the go-ahead from their mum, Mary, to take part, they set about organising sponsorship for themselves. Kyle explains, “We went round our neighbours, family and friends asking them to give money to the Sunday Post CHAS Appeal. It’s a shame for all the ill children.” Big-hearted The big-hearted twins’ efforts raised £60 for our appeal — a magnificent achievement of which Mary is rightly proud. She said, “Although they’re only nine, they’re very independent and were determined to raise money. “Their gran died of cancer not so long ago so whenever they read about ill people, especially children, it seems to strike a chord. It will make their day to be featured in The Sunday Post.”

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com