Woman behind Sick Kids scandal denies wrongdoing

Elaine McGonigle (left) with Jack McConnell and George Foulkes

By Cara Sulieman

A WOMAN at the centre of a fundraising scandal affecting a famous Scots children’s hospital has slammed her critics – and insisted she has done nothing wrong.

Elaine McGonigle, who headed of New Pyjamas fundraising campaign to raise cash for the Sick Kids in Edinburgh, has been suspended while alleged irregularities in campaign finances are investigated.

It was also claimed that she had kept on a job a second job at Rosslyn Chapel that the bosses at the fundraising appeal for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh didn’t know about.

But in a statement released yesterday (Tues), Ms McGonigle denied that she had done anything wrong and that she had herself raised concerns with the charity.

Director of New Pyjamas suspended ahead of finance investigation

Elaine McGonigle (left) with Jack McConnell and George Foulkes at a New Pyjama event at the Parliament last November

By Cara Sulieman

THE director of a fundraising campaign has been suspended while the chairman has resigned amid concerns about how much money the initiative has raised.

Elaine McGonigle has been suspended from the New Pyjamas Campaign for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh ahead of crisis talks with NHS Lothian due to take place tomorrow (Wednesday).

Chairman Graeme Millar has also stepped down from his position.

NHS Lothian Chairman, Dr Charles Winstanley, said the health board called an emergency summit after expressing their “deep concern” when brought up to date on how much had been raised.

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation said they were beginning an “urgent review” of the fundraising campaign.

Nicola Benedetti practices violin in PJs

By Rory Reynolds

WORLD-class violinist Nicola Benedetti has revealed that she practises in her pyjamas “all the time” – in preparation for her huge sell-out concerts.

The Scots-Italian beauty said that she has so much playing to get into each day, that she slots sessions in whether in her kitchen, around the house or in her jim jams.

Speaking after a signing for her 4th album Fantasie and performance for fans at HMV in Edinburgh today, Nicola revealed it’s not all red carpet glamour in the world of classical music.

She said: “It can be very tiring to practice six or seven hours before a concert but sometimes it’s necessary, on average it’s about five hours a day.

“I practice in my pyjamas all the time, and in my bedroom or kitchen or wherever.“I think I had to practise in an airport once, which was a bit desperate – that was probably the weirdest place.

Die-hard

“There’s usually a room somewhere – no matter how small or disgusting – where I can go and play before concerts.”