Dear Leanchoil Members,
Progress with the Leanchoil project is continuing apace.
Following purchase of the site from NHS Grampian in March, Leanchoil Trust (LT) advertised nationally to secure applications from Design Teams to deliver on the refurbishment of the main building. LDN architects (Inverness) were successful and have already been on site to further their plans in close consultation with the LT Buildings subgroup. The former maternity unit (Osprey Wing) now belongs to Hanover Scotland, who are working hard to achieve their plans to clear contaminants and start building the new supported living accommodation.
As the workload increases, we are delighted to welcome two new Trustees: Janie Logan, who previously worked as a nurse in Leanchoil Hospital, now adds to her role as clinical duty manager with Scottish Ambulance Service the position of Leanchoil Trust Board member.
Mark McIntosh is a senior manager for a national utilities company and brings excellent project management experience to the Board. A third successful interviewee will be confirmed later this year. We also welcome Michelle Gillibrand as an adviser to help us develop a strategy for recruiting and working with volunteers.
Fundraising is ongoing through grant applications and we have secured two awards very recently. Details of these will be shared as soon as possible. In addition to grant funding – which is very competitive and never guaranteed – we have a new structure in place to form subgroups with volunteers to help with fundraising and other organisational aspects of preparing to deliver all that our community needs from services onsite at Leanchoil.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet with so many of you at the hugely successful coffee mornings in aid of Leanchoil held in Forres, Dyke/Kintessack, Edinkillie, Dallas and Findhorn. We raised over £2000! Special thanks are due to Maclean bakers who donated fabulous butteries for every event, to Shortbread House of Edinburgh for raffle prizes and shortbread, and to all of you who produced delicious cakes and tray bakes. Logie Timber, Logie Steading, The Kimberley Inn, Findhorn Bakehouse and many attendees gave raffle gifts that were also greatly appreciated. Coffee mornings in Alves and Rafford will happen soon.
We do hope that you will visit our stand at the Forres Highland Games on 4 th July. Opportunities to volunteer will be there along with more information on the Born in Leanchoil project, plans update and an option to purchase a new Leanchoil T-shirt.
Remember that you can name Leanchoil Trust as your chosen charity. Do stay in touch!
Thank you and warm regards ,
Marianne Nicolson
Chair, Leanchoil Trust