Concert raises funds for two charities

The “Folk for James” concert staged by the Shetland Musical Heritage Trust in November raised £7,600 for two charities – the Archie Foundation of the Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The event, featuring Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham plus a host of local acts, all giving their time for free, was held in the name of young James Hawick from Nesting who suffers from a rare blood disorder.

Previously £25,000 had been raised in Shetland with a further £15,000 in Aberdeen. As well as helping James’ condition, aplastic anaemia, the cash will also help other children.

The Anthony Nolan Trust has found a match for James, believed to be a female between 16 and 30. She was selected from 770 suitable donors from Aberdeen and Shetland. It was hoped James would have had the operation yesterday, having had the last of his treatment on Monday. His grandfather Drewie Hawick said he hoped everything would go well.

At the cheque presentation on Friday, musical heritage trust chairwoman Violet Tulloch and secretary Charlie Simpson presented cheques to Drewie and his wife Mida, which they will forward to the two charities.

Violet said: “The trust is very pleased to have been able to raise funds for these very worthy causes, by using the trust’s resources in effect to bankroll the concert.

“The amount raised in one night’s work was well beyond expectations, all due to the generosity of the performers and the lighting and sound men who all gave their services free and the audience who contributed through the box office and the raffle.

“Many of the raffle prizes were also donated and our thanks are due to everybody involved.”