'Lifeline' Edinburgh charity on brink of collapse
Kindred provides support to families of vulnerable and injured children but has suffered cuts to its funding.
Last updated 15th Sep 2017
A well-known Edinburgh charity which has been supporting the families of disabled, injured and vulnerable children for 25 years is facing closure after cuts to its funding.
Kindred, which is based at the Capital's Sick Kids hospital, needs to find ÂŁ40,000 by the end of this month.
The group provides help and advocacy in stressful situations where parents often don’t know where to turn.
It has now issued an urgent public appeal after suffering unexpected cuts in external grant funding.
The funding deficit totals ÂŁ80,000 and half the money must be raised quickly to secure the charity's short-term future.
Kindred is currently in talks with Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government for the rest of the money required.
Crime writer Ian Rankin is among those voicing his support for the charity, commenting: "Kindred is a charity that's been close to my heart ever since my son was born with special needs - over twenty years ago.
"I know first-hand the difference Kindred makes to families."
Christine Wright, whose 10-year-old son was involved in an alleged hit and run involving a motorbike on Ferry Road in Edinburgh just last month, is also backing the fundraising campaign.
She said: "Kindred has been amazing at one of the worst times of my life.
When my son Cameron was admitted to the High dependency unit at RHSC following a motorbike hit and run incident, our family were traumatically plunged into a living nightmare of shock, fear and anger coupled with a high level of media and police involvement.
"Kindred came along just as I was ready to crack. I was tired, scared and worn out. The staff let me talk and cry but most importantly, they listened.
"We really couldn’t have coped without Kindred’s emotional and practical support".