A charity crime writers’ dinner organised by FACE (Fighting against Cancer in Edinburgh) raised over £5,000 which will be used to help fund the annual Lapland trip for youngsters affected by cancer.
Hosted by former Lothian and Borders Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood, the event, sponsored by Highland Park whisky was attended by over 200 guests at Wolfson Hall in the Royal college of Surgeons last week.
After a three-course meal, Ian Rankin, author of the ‘Rebus’ series of books gave a humorous talk on his early days as an aspiring young writer and how he sought the assistance of two experienced detectives from Leith.
He was followed by Dr Ralph Bouhaider, a forensic pathologist who provided an entertaining lecture on Russian prison tattoos.
Local author Peter Ritchie concluded the formal part of the evening with a talk on one of his previous cases when he was a young detective sergeant working at ‘E’ Division in Midlothian.
The talks were followed by an auction and raffle with the prizes including a ‘pie and a pint’ with Ian Rankin and a trip for two to Lapland.
Lapland’s own Santa Claus travelled over for the event and kindly agreed to draw the winning tickets.
Current Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingston closed the event.
FACE is a cancer fund established in 1990 and is based at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
The funds raised through FACE provide the “little things” that make a difference to patients and families who have been affected by cancer. FACE is run entirely by volunteers, who have directly or indirectly been impacted by cancer.
There are no paid members of staff and no offices to maintain. This allows FACE to keep administration costs down to a minimum and maximise the funds that are available to provide help.
FACE Convenor John Macaulay whose dedicated service to the community was recognised when he was awarded the MBE said: “It was a brilliant night and I’d like to thank everyone for their support. We managed to raise £5150 on the night including our auction.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
