12-year-old organises charity ice hockey match for Archie Foundation
7th August 2023
12-year-old Lucy Stewart from Lossiemouth, has organised a charity ice hockey match in aid of the Archie Foundation to thank them for the support they gave her and her family.
Thanks to Lucy’s efforts and support from local businesses, RAF Lossiemouth Jets are set to play the Aberdeen Predators at the Aberdeen Lynx Ice Arena next month with guest players from the past and present Lynx team expected.
Homebuilders Springfield Properties, Ultimate racing and David Steel Electrical Ltd are sponsoring the team strips for the game, with Little Sparkles Childminders and Mortgage Advice Bureau, Elgin, are donating the medals and trophies.
Lucy was born with a rare condition called Tracheo-oesphageal Fistula and Oesophageal Atresia meaning her food pipe wasn’t connected to the stomach, and her windpipe was connected to the food pipe instead. At just one day old, Lucy required an operation to correct the connections, but even after this, she was very unwell and susceptible to pneumonia and chest infections. She said:
“Even after lots of operations things still don’t work as they should. Sometimes I struggle to breathe as my windpipe is floppy and as my food pipe is so narrow, food often gets stuck. I spend a lot of time in hospital and have done since I was a baby.
“The Archie Foundation made these times so much easier for me and my family by providing accommodation so Mum and Dad can stay close to me when I’m in hospital and the charity often cheer me up by decorating the ward. This is why I’m fundraising for them. I want to thank the Archie Foundation and help them to help other poorly children and their families.”
Springfield Community Engagement Coordinator, Megan Black, said:
“We were deeply impressed and touched by Lucy’s email to us explaining her ambition of raising funds for the Archie Foundation with an ice hockey match. She is clearly a strong and determined person and we are delighted to help make this fundraiser a reality to support a fantastic charity like The Archie Foundation.”
The charity game takes place 26th August at Aberdeen Lynx Ice Arena and tickets are on sale now with prices starting at £8.
Photo credit: The Northern Scot.