Act of parking kindness inspires hospital appeal

A mother has launched a fundraising campaign for a children’s hospital after being inspired by the kindness of a stranger who paid her parking fines. Mairi Holden has so far raised almost £12,500 for the Sick Kids Hospital Edinburgh. 

Holden began the appeal last month after she took her unwell son to the hospital and unexpectedly had to stay in overnight. 

She had parked on a single yellow line outside the hospital and returned to her car to find two parking tickets on the windscreen, under which was tucked money to cover the cost of the fines and a note stating, “Pay it then forget it happened”.

Holden took to Facebook to try to track down and thank the person who left the money. Though she could not find the stranger, the post quickly gained widespread attention from people touched by her story. This led to her launching the appeal, which has so far attracted nearly 900 donations. 

On her Facebook page, Holden states: “I would like to see how one person’s kindness can have a huge impact on so many other people’s lives. The service at Sick Kids is incredible, the staff are amazing and work around the clock to save lives and help others. I am truly grateful for the fabulous service we have in the NHS. 

“Imagine when the anonymous stranger finds out just what has happened as a result of doing such a lovely thing! I think they may have been an older lady or gentleman judging by the handwriting.”

The appeal is being run via the JustGiving website.