A Dundee man is hoping to raise £12,000 for charity so he can donate 24 televisions to Ninewells Hospital.
Norrie Bland, 65, came up with the plan after being “bored out of his mind” when he had to spend two weeks in the hospital last year.
He had broken his ankle while diving on holiday in Malta.
After spending a week in hospital on the Mediterranean island, he flew back to the UK for further treatment.
However, Norrie, who is originally from Yorkshire, said he found himself going stir crazy when laid up and so has now decided to make hospital a better experience for patients.
He hopes to raise £12,000 which he hopes will be enough to buy 24 television sets – one for above each bed in Ward 19 so that patients can watch it during their stay.
Mr Bland said: “I was in hospital for two weeks after I broke my ankle abroad.
“I was in hospital in Malta for a week and then in Ninewells for two weeks.
“It bored me to tears. You can only get out if someone visits you, otherwise you’re stuck in there pretty much 24/7.”
Mr Bland said he hopes installing TVs above beds will make hospital stays more bearable for patients.
He hopes that he can raise enough to not only buy a TV for every bed but also to to pay for getting it fitted above each bed.
He will begin his fundraising tonight when he hosts a “Swinging 60s Night” at the Lochee Burns Club.
“We’ve also got a raffle and goods have been donated from the Hilton and a few other companies,” he said.
“I hope to raise about £500 from tonight.”
Mr Bland also hopes to raise money by selling advertising space on his beloved Mazda MX-5.
“If companies give me £50 then I’ll get stickers done advertising them” he said.
“I also want to take the car to Knockhill and the classic car show in Errol and to get some people out with collection buckets.”
Mr Bland added that he will continue fundraising until he has raised the magic £12,000 figure.
Originally from Leeds, Mr Bland moved to the Lochee area of Dundee in 1973.
In the Royal Marines he served with both 41 and 45 Commando.
He visited Malta last year for its Remembrance Parade in November.
