Glasgow author/illustrator and chartered surveyor Priya Kharbanda is using her talents to raise vital funds for sick children.
Priya, who works in Cushman & Wakefield’s Scottish Rating Team, is donating profits from sales of her popular Harriot McDougall books to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (GCHC) and the NHS which treats thousands of children from across the country every month.
The books, aimed at the 3-7 age group, follow the adventures of a Scottish lass from the Highlands and her animal friends Bonnie the Shetland Pony, Haggis the Highland Cow and Fergus the Scottish Terrier dog.
Copies of the fun-packed books, which are priced at £4.99 each, are currently available here.
Priya explained the inspiration behind the charity partnership: “The NHS has been such a positive force during the pandemic and I really wanted to do something to help if I could. I got in touch with GCHC to talk about a possible partnership and I was really surprised when they came straight back to me and said they loved the idea. I hope to make a difference with the funds raised from the books for sick children in hospital.”
William McGowan, Head of Fundraising at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Priya for her generous support. Seriously ill children from across Scotland continue to be treated at the children’s hospital in Glasgow every day and it’s vital that we can support them and their families as they cope with a hospital stay.
“The restrictions have made life more stressful for everyone, and life can be particularly difficult for parents and carers of children in hospital during these times. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like Priya, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity can continue to
Fund the hospital’s play programme, provide support for families, and help NHS staff as we navigate the crisis.”
Stuart Dorward, Head of Scotland for Cushman & Wakefield, added: “We are so proud of Priya who manages to fit in writing and charitable work around her already busy working life. The books would make great Christmas presents for little ones and not only are they a great read but they are helping a terrific cause.”
Priya wrote and illustrated her first Harriot McDougall book to celebrate the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow in 2014. Harriot McDougall Goes to the Commonwealth Sports Day quickly became a hit, appearing in the front windows of Waterstones and resulting in a school book tour and two further books Harriot McDougall Goes to the International Sports Day (the revised edition of the Commonwealth Sports Day book) and Harriot McDougall and the Greedy Gannet.
The books were translated into Scottish Gaelic by prominent Gaelic author and actor Gillebride MacMillan who is known across the world for his portrayal of Gwyllyn the Bard in Outlander.
Donations can also be made on the Harriot McDougall Books website. The money will be used to buy new Harriot McDougall books for children facing challenging circumstances with all proceeds still donated to GCHC and the NHS. Companies are also being sought to make donations.
Despite a busy work schedule, Priya has spent her spare time during lockdown working on a new Harriot McDougall book called My Little Book of Happy Thoughts, along with a fantasy fiction series for children aged 10+.
