Beans meanz cash for children's hospice

Oct 30 2009

A DOTING dad was dunked in a bath of beans to fulfil one of the last wishes of his dying daughter.

Derek Nicol also did a 315 foot bungee jump in George Square, Glasgow.

The fund raising efforts raised £9000 for the children’s hospice which cared for little Nadia Nicol.

Brave Nadia, from Annbank, was only 13 when she died from a rare genetic condition.

Despite being deaf and blind and gradually losing her mobility, she won an achievement award from the Bujinkai Karate Club.

Cheery Nadia lost her fight for life at Robin House children’s hospice at Balloch, where her parents were touched by the care she was shown.

To raise money for the home where Nadia spent her last three weeks, Derek did the bungee jump and then plunged into a bathful of beans, as Nadia had wished, in a fun series of events at the village’s Tap o’the Brae pub.

Mum Gillian said: “Derek sat in the bath for 45 minutes and was blue with cold when he came out.

“We are astounded by the reaction and generosity of everyone who has supported us by donating, sponsorship and also by going to the funday at the pub. We can’t thank everyone personally but I want everyone to know how much we appreciate their support for Robin House.

“Special thanks to George McFarlane, manager of Asda in Irvine, who supplied us with 300 tins of beans and a cheque from his staff for £1000. Also to Jim Smillie, his staff and customers of Spar in Mossblown, who handed over a cheque for £500 and two paintings which we auctioned at the funday.

“Thanks also to Karen Sloan and staff at The Tap 'O' the Brae for their hard work at funday, and everyone who came to lend a hand. We were delighted to have been able to hand over so much money, it has made it well worth while doing it. “

The Nicols went back to Robin House to hand over the proceeds. Gillian recalled: “We had a precious last three weeks there with Nadia and wanted to show our appreciation.”