Oban wildlife calendar raises more than £12,000 for Macmillan Day Care Unit
A CHARITY wildlife calendar created to ‘give something back’ has raised more than £12,000 for the Macmillan Day Care Unit in Oban’s hospital.
The ‘Ootmahoosewindae’ calendar was created by Robert Cruickshanks and Janice Alexander.
Robert is a keen amateur photographer and regularly photographs wildlife at his home in Glencruitten.
‘It was my photographs, but it was all Janice,’ said Robert. ‘She came up with the idea. It’s all about her. It’s all designed and focused on Janice giving something back for the excellent care and attention she received over the years.’
Unfortunately, after a long battle with cancer, Janice, of Oban, died in November last year.
Ootmahoosewindae was praised by top wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan.
A total of 500 were made, with each one selling for £10 and a donation, raising a total of £12,155.
Donna MacKenzie, who works at the Macmillan Day Care Unit, said: ‘A donation like this is fantastic. This will help make things as nice as possible. With other donations we have bought a vein finder - a lot of places don’t have that.
‘Patients and family really appreciate not having to travel to Glasgow for treatment and they like the friendliness here. We provide a quality service.
‘We are like a family in here. We have wifi for patients now. We are hoping to get some tablets, so if someone doesn’t have their own, they can use ours. We really appreciate the support from the local community.’
Janice’s husband Iain Alexander said: ‘This is a great ward. It’s fantastic for local people and not having to travel to Glasgow is massive. Janice said the people in here were part of her family. Thanks to everyone who has bought, sponsored and sold the calendar. Without them it would not have happened.’