Friends of Inverurie Hospital Chair report November 2025.
Well, its the end of the year again. Where has the time gone or is it, as the story goes - we are getting older?
As usual we have been busy assisting all the departments of the Hospital and Health Hub with their wish lists. Purchasing items of furniture etc that the NHS are not prepared to provide. Katie and her team at Donbank along with Emma and her team at Ashcroft provide excellent care for their patients and comfort to families at sad times and it is a pleasure to be able to help in any way we can.
Without our large donation from Garioch Charity Shop and many donations from families and various groups we would not be able to provide to the extent we currently manage to achieve. For all the donations we are eternally grateful, without these we would have to undertake a lot of fundraising. This year we attended the local Farmers Market handing out Apples from the Hospital Garden thus raising awareness of our Group.
Below is an example of items we have been able to provide:
Specialised Armchairs to Ashcroft & Donbank. Parallel Bars for Physio in the Hub. Along with O.T. equipment. Door Wrapping for Ashcroft. Ice Lollies for Maternity Unit.
The Garden at Donbank has been very well maintained by the P6 of Kellands School providing colour and enjoyment for the patients as they watch the children going about their chores. The bug hotel they built will hopefully be fully occupied this winter creating a safe environment for all God’s creatures. I would also like to mention John Wright an academy pupil who generously gave of his own free time over the summer maintaining the garden, John was involved as a pupil a few years ago and is a very keen gardener. John received an “Achievement Award” from Inverurie Environmental Initiative for all his endeavours within Donbank Garden.
Kath and Sharon, two of our committee, have been tending to Ashcroft’s garden this year where they planted quite a lot of annuals. This planting of colour over the summer months was to the delight of the patients. Thankyou to them both.
Staff requested two Roses called “Juliet” to be planted in the garden as a thank you for all the work done by Juliet Robertson who along side the P6’s has used her talents in educating the children to be more aware of what they can do for Wild life, caring for plants and flowers and all that nature provides. I would also like to thank Ian Mitchell from I.E.I. for planting the roses and all the help he has given us over the last year.
This year, in August, our own Katie Anderson was the well deserved recipient of the “Unsung Hero’s Award” presented by Inverurie Events Group.
In conclusion I would personally like to thank all the committee for the past years work without this team life would have been more demanding.
Also, we are very grateful for all the help and support of the ward staff. Attending some of the party’s is a privilege for us all. It took a wee while though for the smell of Fish and Chips to disappear from my car.
Margaret Harrow
Chairperson Friends of Inverurie Hospital
25th November 2025.