The legacy of Colin McRae’s global reputation and success in motorsport has continued after Alison McRae, wife of the late World Rally Champion, presented a cheque for £35,000 to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow.
The money, which will be used to purchase specialist medical equipment for a new paediatric intensive care ambulance, is the first major donation from the Colin McRae Vision Charity.
Set up by the McRae family following the tragic death of Colin and his son Johnny in a helicopter crash in September 2007, the charity’s primary aim is to provide support for children’s health and education initiatives across Scotland.
“This donation is the first of many we plan to make and it is particularly important that it is going towards such a worthwhile project,” Alison McRae said at the presentation today.
Alison McRae in the new interior of the ambulance with Tallulah McConnachie (6) from Millport. Tallulah was rushed to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital after last month (Dec) after being badly bitten on the throat by a dog. She was in intensive care for a week following the accident and although now back at school, Tallulah faces a further operation to check her windpipe is healing properly.
“Colin’s fans have been amazing in their fundraising efforts and I am proud his name continues to live on not just in relation to his achievements in motorsport and rallying, but now in terms of his charity. I am very honoured to be presenting this cheque today.”
McRae became the youngest-ever world rally champ at 27-years-old when he powered his Prodrive-prepared Subaru to the title in Cheltenham in 1995.
The Lanark driver, who also drove for Ford and Citroen, went on to win a total of 25 World Rally Championship rounds. He also contested the Dakar Rally twice and finished third with his Ferrari GTS in the Le Mans 24-Hours.
In the immediate aftermath of his death, such was the incredible response from the public that significant donations were made to the family from all over the world.
This was followed by a number of fundraising events, including the McRae Gathering which saw a convoy of Subaru owners drive from Lanark to Prodrive’s base at Banbury. The event raised more than £53,000 through sales of stickers, posters and memorabilia.
While further donations will be made by the Colin McRae Vision Charity throughout the year, yesterday’s presentation was received by Dr Andrew McIntyre, who launched the initial appeal by the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.
“This is an incredibly generous donation from the Colin McRae Vision Charity,” Dr McIntyre,
who launched the appeal after identifying the potential life-saving benefits of a designated intensive care ambulance capable of providing vital emergency cover within a two-hour range of the Glasgow hospital, said.
“This puts us a step closer to reaching our target of £120,000. The new ambulance will allow us to treat patients as soon as we arrive on the scene, which really can make the difference between life and death.
“Having already raised £60,000 at the Yorkhill Dinner in November 2009, we are optimistic that with the continued support of the public we will be able to raise the remaining £25,000 required to reach our target in the near future.”
JM