A flagship fundraising event dinner has raised £84,236.25 for one of the country’s best-loved children’s charities after hundreds attended its annual ladies’ night.
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) hosted 315 women at its annual ‘Girly Get
Together’ for a fun-filled evening of food, fizz, dancing and live music.
The bash was hosted by local broadcaster Grant Stott at the capital’s stylish Prestonfield House, with all funds raised helping to ensure youngsters in hospital can be a child first and a patient second.
Guests at the flagship event enjoyed a three-course meal, followed by lots of fun fundraising games including a mystery box lucky dip game which saw one lucky lady winning a trip to New York and another winning a luxurious stay in North Berwick.
11-year-old Evan Glass, who was told he only had weeks to live when he was born, stole the show with a dance routine alongside his coach, Christina Liddell.
With the help of ECHC’s Arts Programme, Evan has been able to transform the way he
moved through dance and continues to defy medical experts with his physical resilience after numerous bleak diagnoses from birth.
Rachel Baxter, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at ECHC, said: “It’s always such
a highlight in the calendar to look forward to and this year’s event didn’t disappoint.
“It was great to see so many smiling faces and everyone having such a good time and coming together to raise funds which will transform the lives of children and young people in hospital.
“Evan’s dance routine was a real highlight and showed everyone what an impact our work
can have on the lives of children who are going through hospital treatment.”
Prizes at the main auction event of the night included a rare opportunity to help select the iconic Jenners Christmas tree and then pressing the big red button to turn the lights on in the store. Also a chance to be a character in Cathy Cassidy’s next novel.
A wishing well at the entrance allowed guests to throw in their coins with the lucky entrant winning a bespoke diamond pendent, while band The Flavours provided the music.
Rachel added: “We’re all thrilled to raise such an incredible amount of money which will make the experience of hospital treatment so much more positive for children and young people.
“I really want to thank all the generous ladies who attended, everyone who donated a prize as well as Grant Stott, who was an absolutely amazing host and our event sponsor Nathan’s Wastesavers
“It just keeps getting bigger and better every year and we can’t wait to start planning for the next one.”
