Everywhere We Go! – Italy, March 2005 (Donation 10)

Fondazione G e D De Marchi – Milan, Italy

Friday 25 March by Dorothy Wilson & Jennifer Blackwood

“Thanks to the generosity of footsoldiers, a little corner of Milan will be forever Tartan Army!”

On Friday 25 March, a group of footsoldiers visited the Clinica Pediatrica De Marchi in Milan to make a donation to their charity – Fondazione G e D De Marchi.
An initial donation of 1,500 euros was presented from the Sunshine Appeal funds to help fund the provision of a sterile room.  When built, this room will be used to aid oncology patients during their chemotherapy treatment and other children with low immunity.

In addition, other members of the Tartan Army Message Board helped us provide easter eggs and gifts for the children in the ward during our visit.  At the request of the hospital staff, we left the easter eggs with them to divide out amongst the children that are allowed to eat chocolate.

The children were all staying in small rooms with only one or two occupants, so we visited every child and left them with a gift and an ‘I’ve met the Tartan Army’ badge.  Hospital staff explained to each child who we were and why we were there.  Each child was asked who would win the game the next night – Italy or Scotland.  Bless them – the majority opted for Scotland – oh, the optimism of youth!

Thanks to everyone who came to the hospital – BigDaveJ, Northern Lights, Johnfaeshetland, Bale O’, DotDash, Player’s Player and Captain Black.  I couldn’t have carried the Easter Eggs without you!

But that wasn’t the end of the generosity.  Captain Black and Allesandro at the Kirribilly Pub did sterling work with the TA Select football match and a raffle to raise an astonishing 1,650 euros on top of that already provided by the Sunshine Appeal.  The two donations combined are enough to ensure the room is completed.

Mrs Carnelli, Coordinatrice psico-sociale of the charity, was so impressed that she’s agreed to call the sterile room – The Tartan Army Room.  The British Consulate will keep in touch with us and let us know when the naming ceremony has taken place.
Oh – and it was a big thumbs up from the staff at the British Consulate.  They worked with the Welsh fans to help them with their charity donations when in Italy but I have it on good authority that we did it much better!