Strawberry Fields Forever: Birding in New York’s Central Park
November 22, 2016Paisley First BID for Levy payers to update details
November 23, 2016A charity ice hockey match organised by a grateful dad has raised an amazing amount for two vital neonatal units, after they helped save his baby daughter’s life.
Ross Andreucci, a member of the 2013 Paisley Pirates championship winning side and now playing for Kilmarnock Storm in the Scottish National League, is amazed, not to say humbled, by the support he received after he decided to raise money for the Crosshouse and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Neonatal Units when his daughter Millie received 24 hour, round the clock, care after weighing only 180 grams at birth.
“I felt a simple “thank you” to the people who gave Millie all the care she needed during the first few months of her life was insufficient after all they’d done for her.. She was so small, it was months before we got her home, and I had to do something to recognise all that they did for her. I spoke to a few folk I know in the ice hockey world and the response was just overwhelming. So many folk wanted to play, or help out with some of the jobs needing done to make a game of ice hockey take place, it really was a humbling experience to have so many folk wanting to take part in the event. It’s also true to say I’ve got a far greater appreciation now of what it takes to run an ice hockey club now, I was a nervous wreck in the days and weeks leading up to the game, which took place at Ayr Ice Rink on 12 November.”
The match resulted in a 9-6 win for the pink team against their purple opponents, both teams made up of players playing for Scottish National League teams, recreational sides, and even players who came out of retirement just to take part, but the result really wasn’t important as the event raised a staggering £5,443 which will go to both neonatal units and allow them to purchase vital life saving equipment.
Ross went on, “I’ll never be able to properly thank all the folk who helped make the event an overwhelming success, from those who baked and sold cakes on the day, to those who donated items for an auction, the players who turned up to play, and even just the people who turned up to watch the game. We had an attendance which a few clubs would be happy to see at their games, and it just goes to show that the ice hockey community really does turn out in numbers to support one of their own. They made the event the success it was, and I just want them to know I’ll never forget their generosity. I’ve already been asked if I’m running another event next year so the work for that one is already underway. After the success of this year’s inaugural match I’m hoping to make the next one even bigger and better.”
