North-east schoolchildren will join forces tomorrow to help save the lives of up to 100 babies as part of The ARCHIE Foundation’s annual appeal to support the only children’s surgical ward in Uganda.
Students from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Peterhead, Fraserburgh and the rest of the region will be holding a diverse range of fundraising activities to raise cash for ARCHIE in Africa day.
Every year, the official charity of Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital takes one day away from backing Scotland’s sick kids to encourage pupils to raise vital funds for the Mulago Hospital in Uganda – the country’s first operating theatre designed specifically for young patients.
So far, the annual tradition has helped to save the lives of more than 500 young patients.
Schools and youth groups throughout the north-east are planning dozens of events to drum up cash, including talent shows, bake-offs and sports days – all with a Ugandan twist to help the youngsters learn what life is like for their African counterparts.
In this instance, the funds raised will be used to purchase a neo-natal ventilator, a specialised piece of medical technology that RACH staff believe will help to save an additional 100 young lives a year at Mulago.
David Cunningham, chief executive of The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “When really tiny babies are born needing an immediate operation, they can often be so frail that whilst they may survive the operation, they are unlikely to survive the recovery process.
“What we want is to change the outcomes for those children, and save their lives by providing neo-natal ventilation.
“This equipment will save lives from day one.”
Doctor Chris Driver from RACH said: “With the number of cases going through that unit now, I think saving the lives of up to 100 babies a year is a perfectly reasonable estimate.
“This will give those really, really small babies the opportunity to survive those crucial post-op days and then go on to a full recovery.”
ARCHIE in Africa day takes place at primary schools across the north-east this Thursday.