The ARCHIE Foundation has taken over the running of a charity which gives presents to sick children in hospitals all across Scotland.
The organisation Fairy Box, which gives magical gifts from “fairies” to infants and young kids suffering in hospitals across the country, was originally created by Rosemary Butler, whose daughter Aimee was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2000 at the age of five.
Ms Butler helped Aimee through her battle with the disease by reading fairy tales to her at her bedside.
She added: “Aimee was able to immerse herself in these stories and to leave hospital far behind.
“Since then, her leukaemia returned twice and she needed two bone marrow transplants and a mini transplant.
“When Aimee’s leukaemia returned for a second time, I contacted the author of a book of fairy art to see if they would reach out and send her a card.
“Within days, Aimee received hundreds of cards, all fairy themed.”
She also got so many gifts, sent in by kind strangers, that she started sharing them with other children undergoing similar treatments.
From this, she and her mum – who are from Dundee – came up with the idea of filling a special Fairy Box full of toys and gifts for children to visit whenever they’re in need of cheering up.
The charity subsequently created Fairy Boxes in hospitals across Scotland, but the future of the organisation was cast into doubt last year.
However, they have now passed the mantle of their charity on to The ARCHIE Foundation to continue their legacy.
David Cunningham, chief executive of ARCHIE, said: “When Rosemary contacted me to explain the charity’s trustees wanted to retire after ten years of raising funds for Fairy Box gifts and delivering thousands of toys and gifts to sick children across Scotland, we were delighted to meet up and discuss the idea of us stepping in.
“The Fairy Box fits in perfectly with the work ARCHIE does to make a difference for sick children and their families in hospital and the community by providing the extras which make their experience as good as it can be, even in difficult circumstances.”
