Clydesdale Bank’s Dundee team raises £5,000 for local hospices

24th June 2015

A four day sponsored walk undertaken by Clydesdale Bank’s Dundee Business and Private Banking team has raised more than £5,000 for two local hospices.

The walk, which was undertaken June 4-7, covered a 65-mile route between Montrose and Perth via Dundee. Each of the locations is home to one of the three offices that form the Bank’s Dundee Business and Private Banking team.

The team of 14 walkers raised just over £5,000 including match funding provided by Clydesdale Bank. The proceeds will be shared by Roxburghe House, an NHS Specialist Palliative Care Unit in Dundee and Rachel House, a children’s hospice, in Kinross.

The first batch of walkers set off from Montrose on the morning of Thursday June 6, following the coastline south for 20 miles to Arbroath where they stopped for the evening to rest their weary limbs. A new team convened for the second day of the walk, following the cycle path from Arbroath to Broughty Ferry via Carnoustie and Monifieth (14 miles).

On the third day, the team walked to Inchture (14.5 miles), visiting the Bank’s Dundee Business and Private Banking Centre en route. The final day of the walk, which included a stroll through the village of Errol and along the River Tay, finished at Clydesdale Bank’s Perth Business and Private Banking Centre (17 miles).

Richard Smith, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Dundee Business and Private Banking Centre, said: “We’re extremely proud to have raised over £5,000 for Roxburghe House in Dundee and Rachel House in Kinross, two local hospices which provide invaluable end of life care.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the customers and contacts who have supported us with donations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will make a big difference to patients in the local community with life limiting illnesses, as well as their families and friends.

“I’d also like to say a big thank you to all of the staff who gave up their time to take part in the walk – and I hope their blisters have now healed.”

Roxburghe House, which is located in the grounds of Royal Victoria Hospital, in Dundee provides specialist palliative care services for cancer sufferers and other patients with life limiting illnesses, including home care and a day hospice.

Clinical co-ordinator for specialist palliative care at NHS Tayside Jane Andrew said: “Palliative Care Services in Dundee highly value the ongoing fundraising support provided by the partnership between the Clydesdale Bank and Hospice UK. The funds received have enabled our service to enhance the care environment for patients and families who access our services.

“Last year funds supported the refurbishment of the patient lounge in our in-patient unit. This year we hope to be able to purchase a wheelchair accessible car for use for people attending Day Care and in the inpatient unit."

Rachel House, Scotland’s first children’s hospice, is a purpose-built ‘home from home’ which can accommodate up to eight families at a time. The hospice specialises in providing a fun and stimulating environment where families can relax, recharge and have fun with their children.

Jon Heggie, Director of Fundraising and Communications at CHAS, said: “We’re so grateful to be chosen as one of Clydesdale Bank’s beneficiary charities. A big thank you goes out to the team in Dundee for raising awareness of our work through their fundraising efforts and to their generous supporters. The funds raised will help us to continue to provide specialised care to families around Scotland and to support them when they need it most.”