Midlothian Childminders walk for Sick Kids Hospital

A group of 13 Midlothian childminders have come together to raise funds for the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh to mark National Childminding Week.

Some of the Midlothian Childminders group raising money for the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh.

Midlothian Childminders have decided to celebrate the annual event by completing a combined 70 mile walk with their children, to raise funds for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.

One of the group, Kelly Eckley from Bonnyrigg, said: “All of the childminders are registered with SCMA in Midlothian, there is 13 of us who have come together for the week.

"Thanks to Covid we can’t do much together, so we are going to walk five miles each with our children, and then do a sponsored walk together when we can.

Kelly Eckley from Bonnyrigg in an SCMA t-shirt, with one of her mindees, Evie

"Just to get the kids out in the better weather. Everyday we will aim to do a bit. Ideally a mile a day.

"My youngest had pneumonia and flu, it worsened very quickly, she was rushed to hospital.

"The staff there are amazing so we wanted to do something to give back. It’s the very least we can do.”

Hazel Cowan , a childminder from Dalkeith, revealed how the hospital staff helped her daughter.

She said: “My daughter who is now 10 has a condition called cyclical vomiting syndrome, which is a very unknown condition.

“She has had various trips to the Sick Kids for tests by the gastro team and regular check-ups to overnight stays.

"She has thankfully only had one time where she had to be admitted due to constant vomiting.

"The staff are always amazing from their kind manner towards my daughter to giving me shampoo and shower gels when we were admitted, as due to Covid restrictions I couldn't leave to get supplies.”

Penicuik childminder Anastasia Seales cares for Alex, a four-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

She said: "Alex is well known to the consultants at the Royal hospital for Sick Children and is under the care of neurology, gastroenterology and respiratory as well as community care with nurses, dieticians, physios, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.

"He has recently been reassessed for a new wheelchair and walking device and looks forward to starting P1 at Saltersgate in August.”

To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/midlothian-childminders.