The Archie Foundation recognises loyal supporters at anniversary celebration

Supporters of children’s hospital charity The Archie Foundation – from youngsters who have raised money and volunteers to specialists in the NHS and major corporate funders – have been recognised for their dedication at a special awards ceremony.

The Archie Founders and Friends Awards, affectionately known as the AFFAs, marked 25 years of the charity at a gala dinner and awards ceremony at Aberdeen’s Union Kirk.

Sponsored by Peterhead-based Jbs, the AFFAs were open to anyone who has shown exceptional kindness and commitment to the charity’s work.

A total of 28 awards were presented to those who have made the biggest impact on Archie since it was launched in 2000 to support babies, children and families across the North, both during a hospital visit or stay and during a bereavement.

Prof George Youngson, who founded the charity, was recognised for his many years of dedication to Archie, as was the chair of the board of trustees Carol Munro and Joe Mackie, who has been at the heart of Archie activities in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness, as one of the original founders. 

Kirsty Cox received an AFFA for chairing the neonatal committee for 10 years after losing one of her twins, who were born early.

Anne Bone MBE was recognised as the “backbone” of the bereavement service, putting incredible effort into supporting bereaved families across Grampian, Highlands and Tayside, and using her knowledge and experience to guide the team.

Trustee and retired consultant anaesthetist Dr Grant Rodney, who was also recently awarded an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), was recognised for contributions to children’s surgical and anaesthesia services. 

He joined the Archie board in March 2025, having spent more than two decades leading children’s anaesthesia and surgical services in Tayside. 

Dr Rodney was instrumental in The Archie Foundation’s expansion into Tayside and in the creation of a purpose-built twin theatre operating suite at Tayside Children’s Hospital.  

Also recognised was Ian Philp, who chaired the Tayside fundraising committee for a number of years, including raising £2million which went to the theatre project in Dundee and the hugely successful Oor Wullie Bucket Trail public art project.

An award went to Emily Findlay, who has a deep connection with The Archie Foundation, having benefitted from support when she was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma tumour at the age of 14 and then going on to fundraise, becoming a young ambassador then joining the team of staff.

Despite battling a cancer relapse and going through chemotherapy, Emily is described as a “remarkable young woman, incredibly caring, so full of courage and determination”.

Emily nominated her doctor, Dr Derek King, who has dedicated his life to cancer research and his patients, and “saved my life on numerous occasions”. Now retired, Dr King still volunteers for the charity.

Izzy Noble was recognised for her support for Archie after being supported through cancer treatment. Izzy has raised more than £10,500 for the charity as well as taking to the stage as an ambassador for the Archie Variety Show.

Lottie Anderson, who was born eight weeks early in 2015, received an award after raising more than £3,500 to help other premature babies being cared for in Aberdeen’s neonatal unit, by selling sweetie cones, books and other fundraisers.

Lucy Stewart, who has been a patient at RACH and Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin for almost 13 years, is committed to raising money to give back to Archie and help to provide play, support, accommodation and a listening ear for other children.

Ange and Davie Hill were recognised for their support for Archie as a thank you for the support their daughter Georgia has received over the past six years. Ange volunteers her time on the Disco Ball committee, while Davie raised more than £30,000 through his "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" challenges.

Volunteer Edith Christie was presented with an award for her work with the A Team, a group of fellow volunteers in Tayside, supporting events, organising raffles and driving fundraising.

Mary Nimmo, who with the Highlands and Islands fundraising committee and her colleague Jacqueline Brown, organises the annual Prosecco Picnic and Moonlight Ball in Inverness, which have both brought in more than £500,000.

Paul Fettes was presented for an award for his work on “The Archies”, the Archie mountain challenge. Paul led a team that ran, biked and kayaked up and between 130 peaks across Scotland in two weeks. The challenge inspired a book, with both raising around £100,000.

Grandmother Sheila Peterson, from Shetland, was honoured for her dedication to knitting more than 100 colourful and detailed Worry Monsters, which are given to children who are worried about their stay in hospital, as well as memory cushions.

The generous backing of corporate supporters is essential and awards were given to Graham and Gillian Wood from The Chester Hotel, who have contributed £1.5million to The Archie Foundation over the last 10 years, as well as Dorothy Suttie, who with her late husband Ian, has made significant contributions to the charity since it was founded.

TEXO and The TEXO Foundation have been devoted supporters of Archie over the past five years, sponsoring many events and delivering in-kind projects such as replacing a nurses’ station and giving Glenlaw House's garden in Dundee a makeover.

HCS Aberdeen have also supported the charity for five years, encouraging employee fundraising through events such as the Beast Race and the annual Prematuri-Tea. In addition to philanthropy and fundraising support, the team provides in-kind support.

Media company DC Thomson has supported Archie’s major fundraising appeals, raising awareness through media coverage, as well substantial funding through its charitable foundation, Northwood Charitable Trust, for projects including the Archie Family Centre refurbishment, the theatre appeal and the expansion of Archie’s Child Bereavement Service into Tayside.

Other winners included Clare Mackie, who designed Archie bear and the Archie logo; illustrator and Archie patron Johanna Basford, who has given her time to create hundreds of pieces of bespoke artwork for the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and other paediatric areas; His Majesty’s Theatre panto dame Alan McHugh, who comperes the Variety Show and champions the long-standing relationship with HMT; and patron Kenny Smith, known as ‘Mr Archie’ in the Highlands, who regularly comperes Archie events.

Paula Cormack, chief executive at The Archie Foundation, said: “Reaching our 25th anniversary is a hugely significant milestone, and the AFFAs are our way of saying a huge thank you to all the incredible people who have helped shape Archie’s journey.

“Everything we’ve achieved since our inception in 2000 has only been made possible thanks to our volunteers, supporters and fundraisers, who are so generous with their time, skills and donations.

“It was wonderful to have so many people with us at Union Kirk to receive their incredibly well deserved awards. Every single one has had a huge impact on The Archie Foundation and helped us to continue to make a difference for babies, children and families across the whole of the North of Scotland.”

The ceremony was held on Friday night (February 20).

The Archie Foundation exists to transform healthcare and bereavement experiences for babies, children and families across North Scotland, including Aberdeen, Elgin, Inverness and Dundee. Its vision is that every child has equal access to world-class, child-appropriate care.

Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.