Easter Road men support Sick Kids Friends Foundation
Hibernian Football Club stars joined staff and patients at St John’s Hospital in Livingston to officially launch the newly refurbished space-themed play room in the hospital’s children’s ward. Continue reading Hibs stars light up Livvi play room
World Record-breaking footballers cross the finish line
The Craig Gowans Memorial Fund World Record Breaking Football Match came to a dramatic close last night. The final whistle blew at 10pm – bringing to an end no less than 105 hours of football!
Friends and family of the late football Craig Gowans took on the longest ever 11-a-side football match between the 4 – 8 July, with the final goal score reaching an astounding 774 – 707.
After four days of football played at Spartans’ Ainslie Park stadium, the online and offline fundraising total for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation, sits at more than £80,000 and Guinness World Records are expected to approve the record itself in the coming days.
Eoghan Molloy, a member of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund organising committee, said: “The whole experience has been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. There were a lot of mixed emotions as the final whistle blew – from relief and tiredness to joy, happiness and everything in between. It was amazing to hear that final whistle and to finish what we set to achieve.
“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of the supporters and volunteers who came down to support us across the four days. Playing throughout the night was by far the most difficult part of the challenge, but when the sun came up and the crowd returned this completely lifted our spirits. Being able to finish the match is all down to these supporters.”
Roslyn Neely, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “All of the participants of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund have done a tremendous job in completely this outstanding challenge and we feel extremely privileged to be the beneficiary of their efforts.
“The team has smashed its fundraising target in great style and I’d like to congratulate all of them on this wonderful achievement. Not only have they etched Craig’s name into the history books, the money raised will help The Sick Kids Friends Foundation transform the experience of the children and young people who will visit Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital when it opens its doors in 2017.”
Volunteers needed to aid local world record attempt
The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) and Craig Gowans Memorial Fund are recruiting hundreds of volunteers to get the ball rolling at an upcoming World Record attempt for the longest 11-a-side football match of all time.
Friends, family and teammates of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans are hosting the Guinness World Record attempt in memory of the young football star, and require the help of a vast range of volunteers to help make the event a success.
The Memorial Fund was set up by Craig’s family and friends following his tragic death to ensure that his memory is used as a driving force for good.
This four day mega-match will take place at Ainslie Park, Home of Spartans FC, from 4 – 8 July, with all proceeds going to the SKFF.
The participating players aim to complete at least 103 hours of football in order to beat the current World Record which was recently set in Southampton. In order to complete this mammoth football challenge the charity are calling for people of all skills to support the fundraising efforts.
Volunteers needed include referees, stewards, physiotherapists, general helpers, as well as people to assist with the event setup and tidy up.
The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Football Match is expected to raise more than £37,000 for the Foundation. The money will be used to open a state-of-the-art Snoezelen Room in Craig’s name at the new Sick Kids Hospital in Little France. This calming space will use cutting edge multi-sensory equipment to provide a vital, stimulating area for young patients with sensory impairments.
Jonny Wallace, one of Craig’s closest school friends and an advocate of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund said: “We have organised many fundraisers in the past in memory of Craig but this epic match will be one of our biggest challenges to date and we need help from lots of volunteers for the event to run smoothly.
“Volunteers make all the difference to the success of our events and we would really appreciate any level of help for our upcoming World Record attempt whether it is for one day or all four.”
Rachel McKenzie, Head of Voluntary Fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We’re extremely grateful that the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund has chosen to raise funds for the Foundation. Their upcoming world record football match looks set to be a very demanding challenge and we urge anyone that can help them during the event to show their support and sign up for a volunteer’s role online.”
To register as a volunteer at the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund World Record Breaking Football Match
visit www.tcggwrm.org/volunteer
or email Jonny Wallace at TCGGWRM37@gmail.com.
‘during these worrying times the Drop-In Centre is a haven’ – Michelle (mum)
The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) is calling on sports fans to pit their knowledge against rival teams at this year’s Ultimate Sports Quiz to help the charity raise funds for the Drop in Centre at the children’s hospital.
The Foundation is looking for supporters to enter teams of five or ten to battle it out at The Ghillie Dhu on Thursday 23 April, after last year’s event raised £10,700 for the hospital’s Wayfinding signpost system.
This year the charity aims to raise £18,500 for the SKFF Drop in Centre, which provides a non-clinical atmosphere where patients, siblings, families and friends can spend time together away from the hospital.
Last year the centre welcomed more than 650 patients and 1,700 parents, including the Harnwell family of Rosyth in Fife. Mum Michelle visits the Drop in Centre regularly when accompanying her 7-year-old daughter Olivia and 9-year-old son Ben (pictured top) to appointments at the RHSC.
Michelle said: “Olivia has cerebral palsy and as a result visits the Sick Kids regularly for crucial orthopaedic appointments. My son Ben also has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia so we visit the hospital every month so he can receive life-saving chemotherapy treatment and blood and platelet transfusions.
“During these worrying times the Drop in Centre is a haven – it’s somewhere you can go for a relaxing, reliable chat located within the hospital grounds. The team are second to none and their professional, empathetic and approachable nature always puts me at ease.
“As well as having the opportunity to meet with other parents who are going through a similar experience, the centre provides complementary therapy which helps keep you sane after spending hours in the hospital ward worrying about your little one.”
The SKFF’s Drop in Centre was the first of its kind in the UK when it opened its doors in 2006 and the funds raised from the Ultimate Sports Quiz will help to meet the £135,000 the charity invests in the centre each year.
SKFF supporters and sports buffs attending this year’s quiz will be treated to a drink and tasty supper before having the opportunity to get their hands on priceless sporting items at the event auction.
The quiz itself will be hosted by Scottish sport pundit Scott Wilson and quizmaster Johnny Craig.
Rachel McKenzie, head of voluntary fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We’re very excited to welcome quiz teams from across Edinburgh to join long-time SKFF supporter Scott Wilson at the eighth annual Ultimate Sports Quiz.
“I know Scott will have no problem putting attendees’ sporting knowledge under the spotlight on what is sure to be a great night of fun and fundraising. There’s still time to secure your place and help us continue to fund a fantastic facility which benefits thousands of families each year, including the Harnwells.”
The SKFF’s Ultimate Sports Quiz takes place from 7pm on Thursday, 23 April at The Ghillie Dhu, 2 Rutland Street.
Tickets are priced at £45 per person, £225 for a team of five or £450 for a team of ten and can be purchased from Linda Cameron on 0131 668 4949 or linda.cameron@luht.scot.nhs.uk.
It was smiles all round at Police Scotland’s Fettes HQ earlier today when The Sick Kids Friends Foundation was presented with a cheque for £1175. The sum was raised at an ice hockey match held last month between teams from Police Scotland and UK Firefighters in aid of the Edinburgh charity.
It was a clash to remember for the players of Police Scotland who eventually triumphed at Murrayfield Ice Rink with a hard-fought 8-3 victory.
Detective Sergeant Martin McKay helped organise the event and was delighted with the final total raised. He explained: “Both teams are delighted with the amount of money raised for such a worthy cause and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came down and showed their support.
“But of course, talking from the viewpoint as a proud member of the Police Scotland team, I have to say that I was also delighted with the final score!”
Victoria Watson of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation added: “It has been absolutely fantastic to work with Police Scotland and the UK Firefighters. This was a successful event and all the money raised will go towards helping sick children and their families across Scotland.”
Also attending the cheque presentation were Riley Emmerson and Kyle Flemington of the Edinburgh Capitals – and charity mascot PJ Bear.
