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Through out the past year Kidney Research Uk Scottish Volunteers have been active in various high profile events to raise funds for Kidney research Uk to further the important work they do The team of volunteers is expertly led by Elizabeth McGinness (Liz to us) who works tiresly to organise these events. Dream Maker Productions www.dreammakerproductionsfife.com is proud to be associated with Kidney Research and have pleasure in adding these web pages to the Dream Maker Production Website To show the efforts in the various events that the large number of volunteers do.

We would welcome any comments from either staff or volunteers that help out or take part in the Scottish Events to contact me, and we will publish them on this website. So please contact me on billblenman@btinternet.com phone me on 07777 604077

Many Thanks

Bill Blenman

The Abseil took place on the 30th September & 1st October 2006 at the Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock. This was quite a daunting task for the participants, as it is a sheer 180 feet drop. We were blessed with good weather and a substantial amount of money raised.

The hard work the volunteers do was ably rewarded with a superb night out at the Argan cafe in Argyle street in Glasgow. After a great meal and a few excellent wines Great time was had by all. if you would like to check out the Argan cafe why not visit their website on www.argancafe.co.uk

This regular event again proves very popular and also raises a substantial amount of money. There are not many who say they will not do this again and we look forwrd to the next event in October where we hope to have the same amount if not more taking part.

The Loveseat is a unique project funded by Kidney Research UK.

It acknowledges the precious gift that donors and their families have given in allowing the organs of a loved one to be donated, to allow another life to go on. It is hoped that the Loveseat will inspire others to do the same.

The Loveseat is the focus of the work of Kidney Research UK and the West of Scotland Transplant Co-ordinators .Its purpose to encourage more people to consider organ donation, join the organ donor register & raise additional funding for transplantation research thereby helping the many thousands of people currently on the transplant waiting list.

To find out more click here
www.kidneyresearchuk.org/loveseat

The Loveseat is a unique collaboration between Kidney Research UK and West of Scotland Transplant Co-ordinators. It has been designed and hand-made from 14 types of native Scottish wood by expert carpenter, Alan Kain, and is able to seat up to four people. 131 silver pieces, designed by jeweller Shirley Paris, are embedded within the seat, each piece representing an organ donor from the West of Scotland since the beginning of the new millennium. New silver pieces will be added annually to represent the number of organ donors during that year.

On Friday 24th June, the specially commissioned Loveseat was unveiled to the public and media at the University of Glasgow. The seat will celebrate the kindness of those who have donated their organs, as well as giving transplant recipients the chance to thank donors who have transformed their lives. It is also hoped that the Loveseat will help raise awareness of the acute shortage of organ donors, and encourage more Scots to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The Loveseat has already attracted significant celebrity support, including the backing of popular Scottish TV presenter Carol Smillie: "The Loveseat is an amazing tribute to all those who have made a life-saving gift to others, as well as offering a place of comfort to the families of donors. It can be a huge consolation to know that, after death, their loved one may have saved up to nine other lives through organ donation. I hope that anyone visiting the Loveseat will be moved to reflect upon the seat's symbolic purpose and be inspired to consider their own organ donation wishes."

This was the final day that Kidney Research in the staff canteen at Debenhams Glasgow, where we had been serving the staff a range of delicacies since Tuesday. Again the staff were fully supportive of the event and were fed well. It was also an opportunity to show a DVD slide show of the past events that many members of Debenhams had taken part in. We were asked to take a few photo's of the perfume department as they have been so generous in providing some of the goods that have been donated to us to help in our fundraising events.

Ann McKay business manager for Estee Lauder at Debenhams will run the Glasgow 10k event in aid of Kidney Research Uk on the 13th May. Ann who lives in Glasgow said that she was decided to do it for Kidney Research is that her father is living with one kidney, and she would like to give something back after the excellent care and attention he has been given.

Congratulations to Angela and Sharon on what was a truly wonderful night to raise funds for Angela to walk the Great Wall of China in aid of Kidney Research, and by all accounts raised a substantial amount of money. Angela and Sharon ( her campaign manager ) even going to the extent of dressing up in beautiful Chinese dresses and cute wigs. They had organised this event with military precision and had prepared the venue exquisitely. There was sheer joy and excitement from the two winners of a weeks holiday in Tenerife kindly donated by Liz McGinnis from her time share allocation. And of course there were a lot of other fabulous prizes. Many thanks to the staff of Café Source for there time and patience and some of them even were successful n the raffle. After dispersing from Cafe Source the party continued in Tiger Tiger where we met up with Nicola who is a manager there and of course took part in the raft race a few weeks ago, so again congratulations to Angel and Sharon for organising a great night out. Look out China Angela is on her way

On Friday the 6th April we met a wonderfull little girl called Katrina Meikle along with her father and younger sister Eilidh. Katrina is 5 years old and lives in Strathaven, and on the 21st of February this year had a successful kidney transplant. She received her new kidney from her father Colin as you can see they both looking absolutely great. Colin said that he was surprised how quick he recovered, but I think when he looks at his daughter Katrina face that his recovery time sped along a lot quicker .I imagine that Katrina who attends the West Overton school will be running around with a renewed energy. Look out the boys

The purpose of our visit to Yorkhill was to highlight the fact that there will.be a walk across the forth Road Bridge on the 24th June. This day is mainly to raise awareness and of course raise funds if possible. James Pitkeithly from Arnprior near Stirling certainly thinks so

We also met Kim Gibson who was the first patient to have a baby whilst on dialysis. Her baby son was bor 3 months ago prematurely and is still in Yorkhill childrens hospital. Kim has been on dialysis for 16 years and does her dialysis at the Dumfries renal unit. Which they opened up a new wing on the 5th April this year. Kim has another daughter 8 year old, who along with her father Steven look forward to the day they can get Ryan home.

Lorraine Quinn from Paisley introduced her son Liam who is 3 years old and outlined that Liam suffer from Nephrotic syndrome. But still he is a bright little boy, So as you read this and have not yet put your name down well the details are below so get registered for what plans to be a great day and hopefully a sea of Purple and white will be moving gracefully across the Forth Bridge on the 24th June.

Kathleen Blenman pictured with her daughter colleen received a successful kidney transplant a year ago on the 6th may 2006. Pictured with her daughter Colleen she received the Loveseat pendant from Liz McGuinniss the fundraising manager for Scotland to mark the event. Kathleen along with husband Bill work fervently with Kidney Research UK to help raise the necessary funds to further the work that kidney research do. Family and friends came along to join in the celebration.

At Bathgate highland Games on Saturday the 26th May we were represented by Nancy Brodie, Donna Law, Susan Miller, Loise and Julie Mcann. The Weather started bad but as the day wore on the sun began to shine and the stall got quite busy. Well done to the team.