Superheroes wanted for fundraising photo campaign
The call has gone out for superheroes - from Superman to Wonder Woman - to take part in a quirky photo fundraising campaign to help raise money for a new children’s unit at Raigmore Hospital.
People are being invited to post a superhero "selfie" at work or in public on either Facebook or Twitter and make a donation to the £2 million Highland Children’s Unit Appeal launched by the ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with The Inverness Courier. They should nominate at least one friend to do the same.
The #everydaysuperhero text-to-donate campaign will be launched on Tuesday at Mini Bella which is being staged on the children’s ward by the organisers of the Belladrum Festival. Musicians and entertainers aim to bring some light relief to young patients on the ward as well as families and staff.
Joe Gibbs, owner of Belladrum Estate and promoter of the festival, near Kiltarlity, has already signed up some well-known Highland figures to help launch the superhero photo campaign.
"We cannot wait to get the text-to-donate campaign started and hopefully the event will encourage people across the Highlands and Islands to get involved and to text and donate and nominate a friend," he said.
The best image will chosen on 28th July and will win a set of family three-day tickets to this year’s sold out Belladrum Festival.
Mr Gibbs is among a new team of prominent local business people helping to raise the final £300,000 needed for the appeal. He has set an ambitious £50,000 target to be raised at this year’s festival.
Laura Mackintosh, the ARCHIE Foundation’s head of fundraising for the Highlands, Islands and Western Isles, is also urging people to get involved in the superhero campaign — whether as a famous superhero or as a more everyday hero.
"We are delighted with the support from the Belladrum Festival — it is a fantastic chance to win a weekend pass to the festival which is now sold out," she said.
"We are looking for everyday superheroes — and it means just that. You can use your imagination and creative skills to create a costume and memorable image. You could include your family, work colleagues, and even the family pet!"
The new children’s unit is set to open its doors in February. It involves the redevelopment and extension of the former ward 11 which was previously used for respiratory patients.
Phases one and two will include a children’s ward, dedicated assessment unit, daycare unit and educational facilities.
It is proposed a third phase, which still has to be designed, will include a paediatric outpatients department and some supporting services.
