A 17-year-old schoolgirl who has been in and out of hospital since she was a baby is raising money for the charity which has helped her through the difficult times as a patient.
Dawn Cowie, of Helmsdale, has been cared for in the Royal Aberdeen’s Children’s Hospital and Raigmore Hospital at Inverness since birth and over the years has become aware of the huge difference the work of the ARCHIE Foundation has made to improve sick children’s lives.
Dawn was born with an undeveloped kidney, which was removed when she was nine months old, but has since had recurring infections with the remaining kidney.
Last summer she underwent two surgical operations to stop the infections and was helped by the ARCHIE pain nurse during her three-week recovery.
Now, as a way of saying thanks, Dawn is organising an ARCHIE auction and race night in the Bunillidh social club at Helmsdale on February 28.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to the event. Raising funds for ARCHIE is especially important to me because I have seen first-hand the difference that has been made.
“During the summer I had surgery in Royal Aberdeen’s Children’s Hospital and benefited greatly from the specialist pain nurse that ARCHIE provide. I would like to encourage people to come along and support my fundraising.”
Dawn added: “I am also delighted about ARCHIE building the new children’s ward in Inverness because Raigmore Hospital cares for lots of children and I have spent so many nights in there.”
The ARCHIE Foundation provides advanced medical equipment, specialist staff posts, parent accommodation and fun activities to help children and their families throughout the north and north-east of Scotland.
To buy a ticket for Miss Cowie’s event you can contact her directly by e-mailing dawncowie3@btinternet.com.