Christmas Cash Boost for Royal Blind Appeal

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 22nd Dec 2009

Mike Pringle, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South has welcomed news that the Royal Blind School Appeal is set to receive a Christmas Cash Boost from the Clydesdale Bank Charity auction of its new and historic banknotes.

The auction raised £180 000 with the proceeds benefiting 75 different charities across Scotland.

The Royal Blind School is hoping to raise £6 million to build a new residential centre at Craigmillar Park in Edinburgh South. The new centre will provide a home from home for the school children, separating the residential and educational facilities and specifically designed for their needs.

Commenting Mike Pringle MSP said

"This is great news for the Royal Blind School and charities across Scotland; the bank notes auction was an excellent initiative; a really innovative way to raise money

"The recession has hit some charities hard. Since the Lloyds TSB Foundation made the difficult decision to suspend its grant making activities indefinitely the role of others bodies such as the Clydesdale bank in securing charity funding has become all the more vital.

"The Royal Blind School is one of the best of its kind in the world. They have set an ambitious funding target but with a bit of innovation and a lot of hard work I'm sure it can be achieved."