A charity has issued a rallying cry to businesses to help it reach its £30,000 target by March 31 and save a service for stroke survivors in Perth.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland has raised £15,000 since the beginning of the month but needs to double that amount if it is to save the holistic rehabilitation support pilot scheme in Perth and extend it across Tayside.
The charity raised £1,100 with a comic book bucket shake in Perth and Dundee at the weekend and the Annie R McClean Trust, of local legal practice Blackadders LLP, showed its support by handing over a donation of £2,500.
The fundraising appeal has also gained cross party support. Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP, lodged a parliamentary motion on March 22 commending the service.
Mr Ruskell urged NHS Tayside and the health and social care partnerships of Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross to work with the charity to maintain the vital support for stroke survivors in the region.
With less than one week to go Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is making a last ditch appeal to local businesses and philanthropists.
Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community over the last three weeks.
“To raise £15,000 in such a short space of time really shows just how much people care.
“With the community and local MSPs doing all they can for stroke survivors in Tayside we are now urging local business, trusts and philanthropists to join the fight to save our service.
“It’s a great opportunity for businesses to give back to their community and make a massive difference to people’s lives.
“We desperately need these larger donations that businesses can offer to help us reach £30,000 in time to save our service.”
Irene Smeaton, a stroke survivor who has been receiving support from the service, issued her own plea for funding.
Irene said: “The fact the funding may go down frightens me because I’ve had so much help and I’d really like other folk to have the same help that I’ve had.
“You have just a few days to help people like me. With your support I can keep believing in myself. But I can’t do this alone, I need your help.”
