A Moray children’s charity has teamed up with a group of high school pupils to buy specialist dry suits that will allow youngsters with cancer to go swimming.
Pupils from Milnes High School donated £3,000 to Logan’s Fund to buy suits for youngsters who would otherwise be unable to enjoy swimming sessions.
The charity has previously equipped a handful of youngsters with the outfits but the recent funding boost means it can now buy 12 of them.
They allow children with a Hickman line, sometimes called the central line, the chance to go swimming or play on the beach without the risk of their line becoming wet and possibly infected.
The money came from teenagers Lewis Hay, Lucas Addict and Linton Muckle who accumulated the cash through a philanthropy project.
As part of their research and presentation the group had to identify a specific area of the charity’s work that the £3,000 would be used to fund.
They ended up winning a school competition with their pitch.
Chairman of the charity, Cameron Mackintosh explained how the suits will benefit children who are going through a tough time.
He said: “We work in partnership with Hammond Drysuits who pioneered and manufacture the specialist suits.
“Swimming, amongst other things, falls by the wayside when children are going through cancer treatment, and these suits get the child back into the pool.
“The money allowed us to purchase 12 suits in a variety of children’s sizes.
“They will be made available to any family coming to stay at our Logan’s Sunny Days respite caravan so they can make use of them during their week’s holiday both at the pool and the beach.”
Aberdeen-based children’s entertainment firm, Love Rara, has embarked on a mission to help children with cancer experience swimming as well.
Working in conjunction with Logan’s Fund, the firm helped Moray youngster Eileidh Paterson tick an item from her bucket list last year when she went for a swim with some costumed mermaids.
Eileidh died months later, and her family said the memory of seeing the outgoing youngster splashing about in the pool is one they will cherish.
Mr Mackintosh added: “The dry suit initiative seems to have resonated with people.”