A near family death has become the inspiration behind a charity ball planned for next month in a Dundee hotel.
Organisers Fiona Hain and Jenni Main, from Highlandwear specialists McCalls in Broughty Ferry, are to host the event in the Hilton on April 23 to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland.
Fiona was moved to help the charity because of her father Jim Cameron, who suffered a massive heart attack in 2008.
At the time he was a superintendent with Tayside Police and was found by colleagues in a lift at the constabulary’s Bell Street headquarters. Three members of staff managed to resuscitate him before he was rushed to Ninewells Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care for a few days in an induced coma. He was also put in a cold suit to reduce his body temperature and give his brain time to heal.
The treatment worked and Mr Cameron went on to make a full recovery. However, this is not always the case with heart disease, which is still Scotland’s biggest killer according to Barbara Osborne, head of volunteer fund-raising at BHF Scotland.
“There are very few of us who haven’t been touched by it,” she said.
Tickets for the ball are £25 per person for a table of 10 and are available from McCalls and Twin City Cafe Dundee. The ticket price includes a three-course meal and entertainment from the Tayside Police Choir and the band Brand New. In addition there will be a raffle and silent auction.
To find out more contact BHF Scotland on 0131 555 5891 or email scotland@bhf.org.uk