A SCOTS charity has appointed a new patron, who was originally a part of the original fundraising board, over two decades ago.
Professor George Youngson CBE, Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Surgery, has not only been appointed a patron but is also chairing Archie’s Neonatal Committee.
This committee oversees the charity’s support of neonatal services and its Baird Family Hospital Fundraising Appeal.
The appeal aims to raise £2m to aid the Baird Family hospital being constructed on the Foresterhill site with over £1m already raised.
Professor Youngson has had a long career in children’s medicine following his graduation from Aberdeen University Medical School in 1973.
He researched and trained in several countries and was appointed as Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s consultant general surgeon in 1984.
He was then consultant peadiatric surgeon at the Royal Aberdeen’s Children’s Hospital in 1988.
Amongst other roles in many other places, he was part of the group which started The Archie Foundation and his late wife Sandie was a local artist who frequently auctioned her work in support of the charity.
The charity was originally set up in 2000 with the goal of aiding people in healthcare and bereavement for babies, children and their families in Northern Scotland.
Professor Youngson stated: “I’m delighted to be joining the Archie Foundation as a patron.
“It almost completes the circle – having been a paediatric surgeon in Aberdeen since 1984 and being integrally involved in the establishment of The Archie Foundation and the subsequent design and opening of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital in 2004.
“Being involved in the Baird Family Hospital and the new neonatal unit is a natural continuation of past endeavours.
“Archie is a charity which is extremely close to my heart and I’m also pleased to have taken over as chair of the Neonatal Committee.
“The new hospital includes maternity and neonatal services and will make a huge difference to all the babies and families who use it.
“We have already reached the £1million milestone and continue to fundraise to enhance the clinical services provided by the NHS to make hospital stays more comfortable and easier for premature and sick babies and their families, including the provision of financial grants and accommodation.”
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, said: “George has been at the heart of The Archie Foundation since it was founded more than 23 years ago and we are incredibly fortunate to have his experience, expertise and compassion as we continue to grow as a charity.
“From supporting families in Aberdeen we have now expanded to help babies and children in Tayside and the north of Scotland too, and our patrons play a vital role in raising awareness of the support we offer when a little one is in hospital or after a bereavement.”
