Emotional tribute to colleague Donna (50)
Team went orange
Big hearted staff at a Perth dental practice turned themselves orange in memory of a much-loved colleague who died earlier this year.
The first anniversary of Dental Care Perth’s relocation from Princes Street to state of the art premises in the city’s North Methven Street should have been a time for celebration.
But clinical director Constantinos Loizides and his team used the milestone this week to support Myeloma Awareness Week as a poignant tribute to Perth mum Donna McFarlane (50), who was a popular receptionist with the practice for 10 years.
Practice manager Laurie Greenhill said: “We supported Myeloma UK at last year’s opening but sadly Donna passed away in February and is missed by everyone.
“This is our way of paying tribute to Donna. She was Perth born and bred and seemed to know everyone. We have already had a lot of donations coming in.”
From Monday to Wednesday every member of the 15-strong staff spent time on a sponsored cycle set-up in the practice, with patients being encouraged to join in.
Laurie said: “We had the place brightly decorated and wore orange because that’s the colour of Myeloma UK for their awareness week.
“Everyone signed up for it, no one got a choice,” joked Laurie.
“A few patients joined us and some of Donna’s family were also keen to support it.”
Dental nurse Ashleigh Munro is planning to climb Ben Nevis to boost the charity in August in memory of her friend.
Laurie said: “Ashleigh only really started exercising in training for the bicycle challenge so this will be a huge challenge for her. We are full of admiration for what she is doing.” Clinical director Constantinos Loizides and his team at Perth Dental Care even persuaded FedEx delivery driver Brian Heggie to take part in their fund raising for Myeloma UK