Cash from Highland cow show
Help for palliative care
More than 400 people, including local MSP John Swinney, attended a gathering of Scotland’s finest pedigree Highland cattle at Balnabroich Farm in Kirkmichael earlier this month.
And the event, which was the first of its kind to be held at Balnabroich, brought together eighteen breeders and more than fifty cattle, raising in excess of £50,000 for Scottish charity PATCH.
The event was organised by Sir Michael and Lady Sally Nairn as a fund and awareness raiser for the palliative care charity PATCH, Palliation and The Caring Hospital, of which Sir Michael is chair.
PATCH was set up in 2013, and is the first charity specifically to support round-the-clock specialist palliative care for patients in Scottish hospitals.
Sir Michael commented: “Sally and I were delighted to see all the effort in organising this event come to fruition with a day that seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all - even by those who didn’t win a prize!
“We were particularly heartened by the incredible generosity not only of those who came along, but also of those who chose to donate to PATCH as part of this event.
“We have raised in excess of £50,000 in one weekend and that is truly beyond our expectations. We are delighted.
“The work PATCH does will be greatly enhanced by not only this increase in funds, but also an opportunity to raise awareness and generate more supporters.
“Knowing that 55 percent of people are destined to die in hospital yet few hospitals have designated staff who are well-trained and experienced in palliative care is a situation PATCH is working hard to alleviate.
“To patients who are suffering or in pain, and also those and their families who need some relief of anxiety or distress as they approach the end of their lives, specialist palliative care can make all the difference whether in hospital or making it possible for people to die peacefully in their own homes.”