A Letter from David Reith
18 February 2010
Dear Sir/Madam
Following recent media coverage about the Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation and the New Pyjamas campaign, I am writing to you as one of our valued supporters because I want to keep you informed of the actions which are being taken by us to address concerns surrounding the appeal.
I can advise that the Trustees have initiated immediate dialogue with OSCR – the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator – and will continue to share information freely with them. In addition, we have also instructed a leading independent law firm, experienced in charity law and practice, to investigate fully the running of the New Pyjamas campaign and provide us with a detailed report.
The Trustees will provide OSCR with a copy of that report and we undertake to accept and address any observations and recommendations that it might make.
Whilst recent events have been a concern to all of us, let us not forget the fantastic work done by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. As an independent charity, the Foundation has been helping - and continues to help - children and their families at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh since 1992. During this time, the Foundation has raised more than £15 million and provided numerous items of additional medical equipment, extra facilities, training and research, as well as a wide range of support services, for our young patients over and above the basic NHS provision.
In the Scottish Parliament last week, Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, answered a question from the West Lothian MSP, Shirley-Anne Somerville. She praised the work which the charity has undertaken, stating, "I too have seen the benefits of such work and the differences that it can make to the lives of sick children. I am sure that we all want the Sick Kids Friends Foundation to go from strength to strength and to continue to work with NHS Lothian as it does so.”
Whilst the Sick Kids Friends Foundation is working closely with NHS Lothian on plans for fundraising for the new Children’s Hospital, there is no question that our independence will be surrendered to them.
We have always been and will continue to remain an independent charity, as committed as ever to supporting the work and development of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, for the benefit of children and young people in Edinburgh and Scotland, both at its present location and at the new, world-class hospital to be developed at the Little France site.
I very much hope that we can continue to count on your support at this time. It is very important to us and hugely appreciated.
We will also continue to update you on progress and actions. Please do feel free to contact us by email at any stage should you have any questions or concerns at sickkidsfriends@luht.scot.nhs.uk.
With best wishes
Yours faithfully,
David Reith
Chair
Board of Trustees
