An eight-year-old schoolboy became a VIP for the day when he cut the first turf to signal the start of work on the new Highland Children’s Unit in Inverness.
Ramsey Mercer from Evanton, performed the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at Raigmore Hospital.
Ramsey, a Kiltearn Primary pupil, is currently a patient at the existing children’s ward in Raigmore, and will continue his treatment at the new unit.
Ramsey was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in September 2011 and has been a patient ever since, frequently for 48 hours at a time.
More than £1.5million has been raised by the Archie Foundation campaign appeal, which was launched in March 2011, to build the unit.
Welcoming representatives from NHS Highland, and members of the local fundraising team was Joe Mackie, chairman of the foundation.
He thanked the health board for its support, as well as businesses, sponsors, and numerous Highland communities that have given generously to the appeal.
It will enable the unit to incorporate medical and surgical wards, high dependency unit and out-patients services, all in a child friendly environment.
Appeal chairman Inverness businessman David Sutherland, NHS Highland non-executive director Myra Duncan, and nurse practitioner Gillian Haggerty, all echoed Mr Mackie’s sentiments.
David Cunningham, chief executive of the Archie Foundation, said the new unit is on schedule to open in August 2015.
He added: “We are already working with NHS Highland to make sure that when a child comes to Raigmore, their family are much better cared for, in an environment that works for children.
“Children travel further to get to this unit, than any other one in the UK, so we want to make sure that this support is available to them.”
Adelle Mercer, Ramsey’s mum, proudly watched her son enjoy his day in the spotlight, as did his big sister, Abbie, aged 10.
Mrs Mercer said: “He will continue to come here until he is 18, at least, and currently attends every two weeks to get his blood checked.
“He also gets chemotherapy treatment every month, and has open access to the ward at any time if he is ill.
“It will make a massive difference to our family, including my husband Ralph, and older son Aidan, 16, when the new unit opens.”