ICT and County to stage friendly for ARCHIE appeal

INVERNESS Caley Thistle and Ross County are set to put their rivalries aside to support the £1 million fund-raising appeal for a new children's ward for Raigmore Hospital.

The chairmen of both football clubs have already spoken to each other about staging a friendly match later in the year with the proceeds going to the appeal launched by the ARCHIE Foundation, an Aberdeen-based charity, and The Inverness Courier.

The aim is to radically redesign the existing children's department and transform it into a world-class centre for sick children with a child-centred and family-friendly environment, improved facilities and new equipment.

The idea for a fund-raising friendly emerged during the launch event for the appeal which is chaired by David Sutherland, chief executive of Tulloch Homes and a majority shareholder in SPL side Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Also on the appeal committee is Morag MacGregor whose husband, Roy, is the chairman of first division Ross County.

Mr Sutherland said Mr Macgregor and the ICT chairman George Fraser had spoken and were keen to progress the idea.

"Inverness Caley and Ross County are both considering a date in September for a friendly match," he said. "They hope to do it but cannot confirm it."

Individuals, organisations and businesses across the Highlands, meanwhile, are being invited to get behind the appeal which was launched a week ago. Support is already starting to roll in from across the Highlands - from individuals preparing to run long-distance events to companies pledging to make a donation.

David Cunningham, director of the ARCHIE Foundation, said every donation helped. "Every single pound raised will stay locally and will make a huge difference to children when they are sick," he said.

* If you are staging a fund-raising event for the Children's Ward Appeal, contact us and we will let everyone know. Telephone the newsdesk on 01463 233059, or e-mail editorial@inverness-courier.co.uk.