Sponsorship goes to charity as Ciara wins funding fight

A SOLDIER who raised thousands of pounds for his daughter to attend a specialist blind school has donated the cash to charity after winning his fight for funding.

Mac McGearey walked 500 miles across Scotland to raise enough money to send 13-year-old Ciara to the Royal Blind School - but was left with the money after the council finally agreed to pay half of Ciara's 38,000-a-year school fees, with the other half being contributed by the army.

A total of 12,700 raised by Warrant Officer Class 1 McGearey earlier this year has now been split between four charities, including the ISEA (Independent Special Education Advice), Royal Blind, the Royal Tank Regimental Association and The Royal British Legion Scotland's Travel Aid scheme.

Mr McGearey, from the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, who will be deployed to Afghanistan soon, said: "We want to thank everybody who supported us.

"Ciara is enjoying school and coming on leaps and bounds.

"Although it will be difficult being away from home, knowing Ciara is doing so well and is settled at school gives me great peace of mind.

"I also want to thank Poppyscotland for helping us in administering the funds."

Ciara attended the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh from the age of six months but had to leave when Mr McGearey was posted to England in 2003.

The family returned to Edinburgh six years later and applied for a council-funded place at the school but were told they were no longer eligible.

A tribunal ruled in November last year that the Blind School was the best option for Ciara, who lost her sight when she was only three days old.

But council bosses wanted to appeal the decision and planned to take the case to the Court of Session. The dispute was finally resolved months later when the army offered to fund half of Ciara's school fees if the council paid the other half.

A total of 21,415 was donated to the 500 Miles For Ciara Appeal. Out of that, 2000 was used to fund Ciara's place at the Royal Blind School while her father undertook the walk.

A further 6700 covered the costs of the family's legal fees. The rest of the money was split between the four charities.

Veterans' charity Poppyscotland has supported the family all the way through their battle.

Ian McGregor, the organisation's chief executive, said: "We are delighted the Ministry of Defence and the council worked to resolve the situation."