HUB South East Scotland, development partner to public sector bodies in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders, has announced it has donated more than £8,000 to Beatlie School following a sponsored skydive by project director Eileen Mackin.
Beatlie School in Livingston provides specialist education for pupils aged 3-18 with severe and complex support and profound medical needs. Hub South East is currently delivering a new facility in partnership with West Lothian Council which, when complete in 2023, will be a centre of excellence for children and young people.
Eileen is leading this project for Hub South East and during its development and her visits to the current school, she was inspired by the staff and young people of Beatlie.
She said, “Someone recently asked me why I chose Beatlie and my response was…I didn’t choose it, it chose me! From the first second of walking into Beatlie and meeting the incredible young people and staff, I knew I was going to do something to raise funds for them. It was my small way of saying thank you to them for letting me be part of their very special journey.
“Two years on and I’ve completed that and overcome an enormous personal challenge and found the courage to jump 10,000ft out of a plane. I’d like to thank our incredibly generous supply chain, as well as colleagues, family and friends. This amazing support raised a total of £8320 – beyond my wildest expectations – and it’s been such an incredible experience, one I will never forget.
“I’m proud that Hub South East has such a focus on delivering real community benefits and social value in the projects we’re involved in and I’m now looking forward to focusing on delivering a fantastic new state-of-the-art school for the young people and staff of Beatlie.”
Beatlie headteacher Carol Robbie added, “We are so impressed by Eileen’s efforts – she really has gone above and beyond in her efforts for Beatlie and I’d like to thank her and the wider Hub South East team for this support. Beatlie School is an amazing place, full of happiness, smiles and laughter. We love it when others get to experience this joy and are inspired by its positivity.
“Raising more than £8,000 is just incredible! We have really positive connections with our local community and the money raised will help ensure these continue after the move to our fantastic new facility next year.”
