THE JESS MACKIE MEMORIAL FUND

Our beautiful daughter Jess was simply passionate about singing. She was part of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, she sang with her church and she performed in school concerts. Jess was a caring and compassionate girl who always sought to help others. At only 14 she had a sense of how music could help people when they were in need.

Jess passed away on 2nd January 2018. As parents we cannot let our daughter's name and character be forgotten. She had so much to offer. We have set up this Memorial Fund to help her to keep helping others as she had always done, and would have continued to do if she were still with us.

SUPPORTING EDINBURGH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

All monies raised by the Jess Mackie Memorial Fund will be used to provide support and comfort to babies, children and young people, at Edinburgh Children's Hospital, through therapeutic music projects.

ECHC THERAPEUTIC MUSIC PROGRAMME

The Jess Mackie Memorial Fund is proud to support the ECHC Therapeutic Music Programme, which enables artists including musician Hailey Beavis, storyteller Gerry and Tinderbox community music group, to bring the joy of music and melody making, song writing and singing, to children spending time in hospital all year round.

ECHC OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE SPACE AND JESS MACKIE MUSIC GARDEN

Ahead of the opening of the new Children's Hospital in 2021, the Jess Mackie Memorial Fund is delighted to be funding a very special enhancement within the new ECHC Outdoor Performance Space, the Jess Mackie Music Garden.

When enhanced, this outdoor space, which can be accessed by children and families from all over the hospital, will host performances throughout the year. The Jess Mackie Music Garden will enable children to come together, to enjoy performances and have the option of participating, by playing one of five free standing musical instruments, the Congas, Tembos, Rainbow Trio Chimes, Harmony Bells and Marimba.

The Jess Mackie Music Garden will also be used when performances are not taking place, ensuring children, siblings, parents and carers can enjoy music making activities all year round. The ECHC Music Programme musicians (funded by JMMF) will use this space for performances and activities.

HOW YOUR SUPPORT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Many children and young people in hospital feel vulnerable because they lack control over what's happening to them. Music can have an enormous and positive impact, helping ignite a spark in them and giving them back a sense of control. It can also give them a means of expressing themselves, making friends, building their confidence and accessing new opportunities.

Jess would have loved to know she was a part of making that happen.

By supporting the Jess Mackie Memorial Fund you will help to make the ECHC Therapeutic Music Programme and the Jess Mackie Music Garden possible.