Rugby star to tackle Sick Kids campaign

RUGBY legend Gavin Hastings today pledged his support to the Hands Off the Sick Kids campaign, as MSPs tabled a motion calling for everyone in the city to sign the Evening News petition.

Scotland's all-time record point scorer is a long-standing supporter of the children's hospital, having raised funds for it in the past.

He is urging people to sign the petition opposing the removal of key cancer and neurology services.

Father-of-two Mr Hastings, who lives in Ravelston, said: "This is something that clearly has my support.

"I have done fundraising for the Sick Kids in the past.

"I am happy to lend my name to support the future of this wonderful local service.

"It provides care for the people of Edinburgh, as well as those further afield in Fife, the Borders and beyond.

"If these services can be saved and kept in Edinburgh, I would encourage that to happen."

He added: "I have visited the Sick Kids in the past.

"It is a while ago now but I did get to see at first hand the wonderful work that they do."

The former Scotland captain supported the Wooden Spoon Society last year in its efforts to raise £50,000 for a drop-in centre in Millerfield Place, near the Sick Kids hospital, which is estimated to offer support for 1500 families a year.

The campaign is also gathering support in political circles. Yesterday, SNP MSPs Shirley-Anne Somerville and Ian McKee called for urgent talks with Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

A motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament by George Foulkes has been signed by Labour's Sarah Boyack, Trish Godman – who represents Glasgow Maryhill – Mary Mulligan and Patricia Ferguson, as well as the Green's Robin Harper, and Margaret Smith, of the Liberal Democrats.

The motion "encourages everyone to sign the Edinburgh Evening News Hands Off the Sick Kids petition". It goes on to say "that, if this service was closed, local parents and children already dealing with difficult and challenging circumstances would endure significant stress and additional suffering as a result".

It "insists that the presumption against centralising hospital services like this is one manifesto commitment the SNP Government must keep".

Mr Foulkes, a Labour MSP for the Lothians, also plans to collect signatures for the campaign ahead of the Hearts-Hibs derby on Saturday. Both teams' supporters' trusts have committed to having petitions outside the ground, and Mr Foulkes will have a team in Dalry Road. He said: "I'll be out on the streets of Edinburgh this weekend collecting signatures for the Evening News petition.

"The Sick Kids Hospital is a vital service across the Lothians, which brings great comfort to families under incredible pressure."