Grandad supports charity in memory of grandson Owen
A GRANDAD presented a cheque for £8,240 to a hospital charity in memory of his grandson who died with a hole in his heart.
James Mcalpine made and sold 385 bird boxes and held tombolas and raffles during the past year.
The money raised has gone to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), which provides families with a comfortable home while their children are in hospital.
The organisation helped Mr Mcalpine’s family when his grandson Owen was receiving treatment.
The wood for the bird boxes was donated by Treeline, at Baddinsgill, West Linton, from manufactured timber which is unsaleable due to knots.
Mr Mcalpine said: “I had the
pleasure of attending Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Sick Kids on Wednesday April 3, as Right Worshipful Master of Lodge St. John Kilwinning No.57 in Haddington to present a cheque on behalf of the
Lodge for £8,240 for RMHC.
“This will sponsor a room for a year as well as helping families to stay over during very difficult times.
“My thanks to all who bought one of the 385 bird boxes I built and fitted over the last year.
“And to all who bought a raffle or Tombola ticket and to those who simply gave.”
Mr Mcalpine sold the bird boxes for £10 each and was helped on his tombolas and raffles by granddaughter Alice, aged eight.
Mr Mcalpine said: “We lost our three-and-a-half-year-old grandson, Owen.
“When he was being treated at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, my son and his wife, who live in Edinburgh, stayed in a Ronald McDonald House nearby.
“I continue to build bird boxes and will no doubt raise more much needed funding over the upcoming year.”