Harriet’s hat - MRI Maakers.

We went for a walk this afternoon. It was dreich.

I wore Harriet’s hat, bought last year; the proceeds went to the Shetland MRI scanner appeal. The hat is based on a Fair Isle design. Not typical colours, but those of the Appeal logo. I understand Harriet Middleton designed the hat (her pattern etc is available to buy). There are other designs on their website and more on their Twitter and Instagram pages. She used to knit and sell the hats at local craft events; to cut the story short she formed a group to knit for the Appeal..... a “Maakin and Yaakin” group. (Maakin and Yaakin is a local term which basically means knitting and chatting).

The Shetland Health Board Endowment Fund aims to raise £1.65 million ( through various events etc - not just the hats!) for an MRI Scanner for diagnostic tests. This will be located at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick; I’ve visited the hospital when during my career. Shetlanders need to travel several hours south by air (to Aberdeen or Glasgow) or on the overnight boat (to Aberdeen) if it’s decided they need an MRI scan; they’re at the mercy of weather, travel difficulties, the system isn’t flexible, and it’s very difficult with quite ill people. An MRI scanner in Lerwick means scans could be done locally and sent to the same specialists who analyse them presently. They’re well on their way to meeting the recently re-set target. Here’s a link to the Appeal https://mrimaakers.com/scanner-appeal/

The Prime Minister was in Central Scotland. Plenty of photographs were taken. There were media soundbites. No announcements of note were made. Sadly there were 1239 deaths in the U.K. today.

Family are well. Had a long FaceTime call with younger son.

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