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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Paul Behan

PR own goal as Ayrshire Hospice fundraising appeal includes axed CEO

A £13m fundraising blitz by the Ayrshire Hospice has been overshadowed by the appearance of the organisation’s outgoing chief executive in some of its literature.

Carla MacEwan, the organisation’s outgoing CEO, was dramatically axed earlier this month following complaints and concerns over her leadership.

The £80,0000 a year executive will leave her post next month and is currently on ‘gardening leave.’

However, Ayrshire Hospice Capital Build Spring Appeal packs were this week posted out to thousands of households all over Ayrshire- with Ms MacEwan still banging the drum for donations — despite her imminent exit.

The packs are aimed at raising money to assist the £13m redevelopment of the Ayrshire Hospice base in Racecourse Road.

In her pitch Ms MacEwan said: “As Ayrshire Hospice’s chief executive officer, I am appealing to all in our community, the community we live in, work with and serve, for help in this vital project.”

Residents in Kilmarnock, Irvine and Ayr were sent the fundraising appeal packs- with some scratching their heads over the outgoing CEO’S involvement.

One householder said: “I find it strange that the outgoing CEO is involved. Clearly she’s not going to be there for much longer. This seems to me to be an own-goal in terms of their public relations.”

Ayrshire Live contacted the Ayrshire Hospice for a comment surrounding Ms MacEwan’s appearance in the appeal literature but they declined.

Carla MacEwan's pitch in the Ayrshire Hospice Spring Appeal pack (Submitted/Ayrshire Post /)

They did say, however, they were “pleased” with the response to their Capital Build Spring Appeal.

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