Special Thanks

NEIL GIBSON SINCLAIR      1916 - 2017

Neil Sinclair. An honouree member of The Scottish Associatio for Children with Heart Disorders passed away on Christmas day 2017. 101 years old.

People like Neil are very rare in life and we were so lucky to have him take us under his wing. I'm sure a lot of you will remember that over the years Neil has given most generously to the Association. A very keen cyclist he was always promoting the benifits of two wheels opposed to 4.One year Neil cycled from Perth to Montrose to join us for our AGM, He cycled Lands End to John O'Groats raising money for the Association. He donated his Citreon car, which we sold on his behalf. When it became time, very reluctantly, to give up cycling on the roads he donated 28 of his bikes to the Association. Neil's enthusiasim for exercise continued, he had an exercise bike set up under a lean-too at the side of the house where he peddle and sing away (with a bit of French thrown in) to his heart's content. All his bikes were sold to good homes, one because of its rarity, is hanging on the persons living room wall.

A man of great humour, always wearing a smile, he would leave you feeling a lot happier when you parted. Neil's favourite rhyme:

Our Doctors say when they're in dooubt, of course there's alot of it about.   Or murmer maybe, you must remember, it's your age.                           They left you looking most profound, it's something that is going around.   There isn't one among the lot who'll tell you plainly what you've got!

Our Friend Neil Sinclair

 

The SACHD offer thanks to two charities who over the years have made regular donations to Association funds through the Edinburgh Branch.

To both these charities and indeed to the many groups and individuals who support the objectives and aims of SACHD and contribute through their time and financial donations we offer our thanks and appreciation on behalf of our heart children and their families.

Sporting Bears

The Sporting Bears Motor Club are a dedicated group of classic and sports car enthusiasts who raise money for children's charities through their own social and touring events. The SBMC was formed in 1989 and have raised over £1,000,000 for children's charities in the UK. Monies have been donated to SACHD through nomination from the Scottish and Northern England group known as Polar Bears who particularly appreciate our being a totally voluntary organisation with minimal governance costs.

The Binks Trust

The Binks Trust is an Edinburgh based Scottish charity supporting a vast range of charitable activities and purposes, including education, the arts and health. SACHD through application for support have been fortunate, over many years, to receive an annual donation of £1,200.

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Rhona Ferguson sends her thanks to all at SACHD for funding her Merlin Thrombistat blood monitoring unit. Her training has gone well and she is getting used to checking her blood.

Rhona said "thanks again, for all your help in getting me this machine. It has made such a difference to my life already".

Rhona is pictured with the Merlin below.

SACHD and all who attended would like to thank Vikki Carpenter for organising a very successful and fun Family Weekend. THANKS VIKKI

 

Neil Sinclair  - Honorary Member

Neil has been a generous supporter of the Association for over 25 years. This summer due to Neil's age (97 years young) he has now given up cycling and donated his bicycles to raise money for S.A.C.H.D.

We have a wonderful collection of 28 bikes a broad range from light weight road bikes, off road bikes and commuter style bikes. To date four have sold and details of the others can be obtained from Brian Parkins at the Tayside contact email or telephone 01796 473204.

This is not the first donation from Neil, over the years he has kindly given us two cars, a lawn mower and has ridden a sponsored ride from Lands end to John o' Groats.

Thank you... to a truly great gentleman and his very supportive wife Elizabeth.

 

Helen & Greg Run Edinburgh Marathon for SACHD 2013

 

With no prvious experience of running marathons both Helen and Greg took part in the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for the SACHD. Here they are wearing SACHD running vests prior to getting strarted.

Helen said " The run was agreat experience neither of us are runners and have never taken part in anything like this before, but it has beena great journey for both of us. Greg works offshore so most of his training has been done in the gym on the oil rig and this time last year I had just given birth to our second daughter so as you can imagine a great sense of achievement for us both".

"it was very hot on the morning of the run so not the conditions we would have chosen, however the determination and desire to raise money for SACHD carried us over the finish line and both in a decent time."

Our thanks to Helen and Greg for their very special acheivement and so far they have raised £800 for SACHD.

FUNDRAISER COMPLETES CYCLE FOR SACHD 2012

Peter Barr, a pensioner from Killiecrankie, Perthshire completed a cycle between Land's End and John O'Groats a gruelling 953.3 miles with only his friend and "team manager" Raymond Kite accompanying him, completing the cycle in only two weeks.

Raymond enjoyed the luxury of the support car while 70 year old Peter bashed out the miles on his Willier bike to raise funds for The Scottish Association for Children with Heart Disorders. Peter's target of £2,500 has been smashed with friends, family and supporters who have helped to raise £4,000.

During the cycle there were a number of "hairy" moments when Peter was forced to tackle main roads and occasionally heavy traffic and he admitted he was indebted to those he met on his journey for his safe arrival. "Generally we opted for minor roads, which were much safer, but there was a tendency to get lost when minor became extremely minor," he said. "The locals were always helpful, even though they may not have heard of the places for which we were aiming."

Luckily for Peter, he enjoyed good weather throughout most of his journey and astonishingly, completed his cycle without a single puncture or mechanical breakdown. "Temperatures dropped noticeably during the final two days of the trip but overall we were very lucky weather-wise," he said. "Headwinds occasionally created something of a challenge, especially in the final 17 miles from Wick to John O'Groats."

As well as being accompanied by Raymond, Peter was accompanied on occasion by a selection of supportive cyclists, especially when on home turf. When passing through Blair Atholl, for example, he was joined for a short distance by supportive members of the Blair Atholl Area Tourism Association.

"The feeling now is one of achievement for completing the journey but also one of delight for the generous financial support for my chosen charity," Peter added.

SACHD offer Peter our sincerest thanks for all his efforts and fundraising on behalf of the Association.

 

Keswick to Barrow 40 mile walk 2012

Erik and Anne Gravis completed the 40 mile walk on Saturday in 11 hrs and 44 mins, which is 1 & 3/4 hrs quicker than last year. They raised £615, Congratulations and thank you.

 Erik & Anne on completion of the 40 mile walk.

 

Fleet Half marathon

Well done and congratulations to Charlotte Sale, aged 22 - neice of Vikki Carpenter Aberdeen branch - who completed the Fleet Half marathon on 25th March 2012.  Charlotte raised £600 for SACHD, despite pulling tendons in her knee at 10 miles and being told by paramedics that she could not continue.  With the support of her dad and boyfriend she hobbled the last three miles in pain to cross the finish line! This time last year Charlotte wasnt even a runner!! SACHD has given amazing support during the past few years, especially during times of extreme difficulty such as Vikki's daughter Jennifers' open heart surgeries!

Charlotte also had coverage in the newspaper.