Helensburgh Advertiser | News | Surgeon's welcome for Aedan fund

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Saturday, 8th November, 2008 08:30

Surgeon's welcome for Aedan fund

By Fiona Howard

Comments (0)

Print Article

Image related to story, see caption or article text

THANKS: SUrgeon Mark Danton (back left) and Sister Sheila Smith (far right) with Aedan and fundraisers.

SURGICAL implements being used by the heart surgeons at Yorkhill sick children’s hospital are on loan.

But the team behind the Burgh’s ‘Songs for Aedan and Friends’ appeal hope to change that.

Appeal organisers met heart surgeon Mr Mark Danton and Cardiac Liaison Sister Sheila Smith last week when they visited Helensburgh to say thanks for the team’s efforts.

Mr Danton told fundraising committee where the cash will be spent and revealed how he saw surgeons using specialist instruments not available to the team at Yorkhill, while on a visit to America.

On his return to Glasgow, Mr Danton contacted the company who manufacture the instruments, who allowed him to use them on loan.

But they now want the hospital to buy the tools and the fundraising appeal in Helensburgh has come just in time to allow the cardiac team to make the purchase.

Three instruments cost £2,000 each and without the help of the Songs for Aedan and Friends Appeal, it would not be possible for the hospital to buy them.

Sister Smith told the committee that as well as these specialist instruments, other equipment is needed and any additional funds will go towards that.

She joked: “The theatre manager Fiona Bell has a shopping list.”

Both Mr Danton and Sister Smith expressed the team’s gratitude for the Burgh effort.

Committee member Tommy Sharkey told them that the original aim had been to raise £10,000 but that they now hoped to make it between £12,000 and £15,000 by the time the appeal ends with the big concert in the Victoria Halls on December 27.

He said: “It has been amazing the way people have rallied round to help. People have even stopped us in the street and handed us fivers and some have even handed in their penny collections in carrier bags.”

The decision to raise the funds came when little Aedan McGinley whose grandparents own the Teak and Ash pub, had to undergo heart surgery as an infant. He has more operations to come.

Family and friends launched the appeal to repay the hospital. A recent fundraiser collected over £3,000 with more events planned.

Comments