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Schoolgirls craft a way to raise cash for hospital
"The hospital is like a home from home for them so they want to give something back."
Two schoolgirls who struck up a friendship while enduring the toughest moments of their lives have come together to raise money for the hospital they have become so familiar with.
Shannon MacKenzie, 12, and Rachel Cameron, 13, met at the Sick Kids Hospital as they were undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Despite receiving punishing courses of chemotherapy and virtually living in the hospital over past months, the pair have launched their own project to generate funds at the annual fair.
They have created a wealth of arts and crafts items for sale - including homemade piggy banks, jewellery and bags - and hope to raise hundreds of pounds at the event on 14 June.
The cash will go towards creating a multi-sensory playroom, bathroom and an extra cubicle area for younger patients.
Shannon, from Wallyford in East Lothian, was diagnosed with the illness on Christmas Eve after complaining of leg pains. A few months on, and after time in isolation, she has completed the intensive treatment, and worked towards the art project.
Her mother Lynsey said: "She spent months in isolation because she had to be kept away from infection, so she spent a lot of time making arts and crafts.
"Rachel would pop her head in and I think she persuaded her to help out, and before they knew it they were launched head first into this project.
"The hospital is like a home from home for them so they want to give something back."
Rachel, from Armadale in West Lothian, has battled leukaemia for a year, and is also coming to the end of her treatment.
Her mother Karen said: "They've been spending a fair bit of time together working on this, and I've been really impressed with some of the stuff they're coming up with.
"They are in hospital so much that it's really given them something to focus on, especially with missing out on school.
"It's really impressive when you consider Rachel feels like rubbish quite a lot of the time because of the treatment."
The fair will take place at Meadowbank Stadium and some of the money raised will go to help the current refurbishment of the oncology ward.
Community fundraiser for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, Rachel McKenzie, added: "These are two very kind girls who are incredibly brave and special."
