‘Terrific’ survey response over cash left to former Kingussie hospital

The charity behind a survey into the use of the controversial Burall bequest of more than £300,000 left some 23 years ago to St Vincent’s Hospital in Kingussie have told the Strathy they are happy at the way things are looking.

Charity lead Catherine Myles said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the level of engagement we’ve seen so far from the communities of Badenoch and Strathspey in shaping the Burall Legacy Fund.

“The response to the survey has been terrific with 86 submissions received to date.

“It was also truly heartening to see so many people from across the area come together for our in-person engagement session in Aviemore on May 9. The positive spirit, thoughtful contributions, and wide range of suggestions for health and wellbeing-focused projects really reflect how much the community cares about this work.

“We’re now looking forward to continuing the conversation, with another event currently being planned for Kingussie in June.

“We encourage anyone who wants to learn more about the Burall Legacy fund and our engagement activity to visit our Engagement HQ website.

“It is available to view here.

Last Friday’s meeting was ‘sold out’.

The chair, Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes MSP, said afterwards: “NHS Highland expressed their desire to use the fund primarily for the benefit of residents within Badenoch.”

She led the meeting at Aviemore Community Centre with representatives from the independent Highland Health Board Endowment Funds charity and Kingussie Community Council representatives.

Concern has grown recently over the whereabouts of the money left to the hospital by American Theresa Burall as a thank you for the care given to two good friends at the now closed facility.

Kingussie community campaigners were enraged over a change in the benefit target area to include the entire strath rather than just the town and surrounding area.

OSCR, the charity regulator, approved the move which had not been widely advertised beforehand.

Campaigners were not commenting after the meeting as the survey into how best to use the money is still on-going until June 13.

Ms Forbes told the Strathy: “NHS Highland expressed their desire to use the fund primarily for the benefit of Highland Health Board Endowment Funds Charity residents within Badenoch.

"It was very important to give community members the opportunity to ask questions and seek answers on the fund.

“The funding was left for the benefit of St Vincent’s, but with a new hospital in Aviemore it is very important to engage closely with local residents on using the funding well.

“This fund has the potential to deliver a number of projects locally although it should never replace core NHS funding.

“I stressed the need to restore trust and accountability, and I was very pleased with NHS Highland’s receptiveness.

“Moving forward, it is important that NHS Highland take steps to demonstrate they are listening and deliver local projects that make a big difference."

The Theresa Burall Legacy is a donation of $450,000 made in 2002 to the Highland Health Board Endowment Funds charity to support St Vincent’s Hospital in Kingussie.

While the hospital was open, the money was used to improve facilities including car parking, toilets, ward spaces, staff changing areas, and palliative care services.

After the hospital closed in 2021, the OSCR approved a change to how the fund could be used.

The money can currently support patients and service users across the strath as long as it fits with the charity’s purpose - much to the anger of Kingussie campaigners.

There is currently £306,890 in the fund.

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