Local MSPs put politics aside to support Children’s Hospital Charity

Our local MSPs have joined forces to praise the work of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and have pledged to support its work across Scotland. Acknowledging the vital work of ECHC, Edinburgh Northern & Leith MSP Ben Macpherson and Alex Cole-Hamilton, who represents Edinburgh West, are encouraging their constituents to back the charity and its essential contribution to children’s services across the country.

Thanks to supporters and donors from all over Scotland, the charity celebrated a record -breaking 2016, that allowed them to pay out £3.2 million in various grants and donations.

This continued into 2017, a year which saw the charity change its name, and funding over 100 grants including support to projects across the Lothians, Border and Fife.

In a joint statement they said: “Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity provides invaluable work and support to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children but also to children’s medical facilities across Scotland.

“Many people often do not realise that they may have benefitted from this charity’s work in their local children’s services.

“Thanks to its amazing work children are less scared by hospital. This helps them be a child first and a patient second. This is why we are delighted to back Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.”

Despite the continued support from families across Scotland, its mission to raise money to buy vital equipment and services remains as important as ever.

Roslyn Neely, Chief Executive of ECHC, said: “It is great to have the backing of both Ben and Alex. We really appreciate the support we receive from all MSPs which allows us to reach people who may not be aware of our work.

“While people mostly associate us with working in the city, in fact we are heavily involved in projects wherever children are treated. Across the board, we give out around £1.5million a year to ensure that children’s lives are less interrupted by illness, they are less scared of hospital and that their families are also comforted and supported by us.

“Thanks to work of our supporters, fundraisers and Ben and Alex we can continue to do that.”