Food-lovers who flocked to Aberdeen for an exclusive celebration of fine dining have helped raise more than £150,000 for the maternity hospital.
Money to help the neonatal unit become a Scottish centre of excellence was raised by diners at Signature Fine Dining Festival.
Award-winning chefs were brought to the Granite City for the 13-day event in November, dishing up their culinary creations and fundraising for good causes at The Chester Hotel.
In total, £156,000 was gifted to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, with the money covering the cost of a high-level training course for nurses.
It is hoped the four-month programme could establish the unit as a centre for excellence in neonatal and family-centred care.
The donation will also pay for two ventilators and an ultrasound scanner for premature and seriously ill babies.
The existing Aberdeen Maternity Hospital is to be replaced by the new Baird Family Hospital, also at Foresterhill, next year.
Money was raised through ticket sales for the dinners served by Michelin-starred chefs as well as through auctions.
Among the leading names brought to the north-east included including Phil Howard, Daniel Clifford, Glynn Purnell and Martin Wishart.
Aberdeen Maternity Hospital was the biggest benefactor from festival, with another £29,000 donated to The Parkinson’s Cure Trust.
The second charity profited as a result of ongoing fundraising by Mr Wishart, who was inspired to support the cause after witnessing first-hand the impact this debilitating disease has had on his mother.
He recently raised more than £65,000 by completing a 3,500-mile Atlantic sailing challenge, setting out just days after serving up a stellar menu at Signature.
Owner of The Chester Hotel Graham Wood said he was delighted that the event was once again making a difference for good causes.
He added: “The award-winning Signature festival has become a highlight in the annual calendar of fine dining fans and while the primary aim is to help put Aberdeen on the map as a destination for foodies – and bring some of the nation’s top culinary talent on a rare visit to the north-east – it is incredibly satisfying that it can be used to support such worthwhile causes.
“I feel incredibly honoured to make these donations on behalf of Signature.”
Since its 2017 beginnings, the festival has collected more than £500,000 for good causes in the north-east and beyond.
