​A local family’s incredible donation to NHS Western Isles 

Sabia and Sardar Mohammed have generously donated an incredible £32,000 to NHS Western Isles to support three vital units within the Western Isles Hospital: the High Dependency Unit (HDU), the Maternity Ward, and the Dialysis Unit.   

Explaining the reason for this heartfelt donation, Sabia and Sardar shared: “We have called the Western Isles our home for more than sixty years. In that time, this island has given us not just a place to live, but a community that has stood beside us through our happiest moments and our hardest trials. From the depths of our hearts, we have chosen to donate to these units within the Western Isles Hospital that mean everything to our family.” 

They continued: “These units represent chapters of our lives—chapters written with courage, sorrow, hope, and gratitude. For us, these units symbolise a truth we carry in our hearts: 

• HDU is saving a life. 
• Dialysis is helping a life to survive. 
• Maternity is bringing a life into this world and fighting for the tiniest of lives.”  

HDU will receive £10,000 to support the staff and patients within that ward unit. Sabia and Sardar explain why this unit means so much to them: “Our journey of thanks begins with the High Dependency Unit. Three years ago, when Sardar became gravely ill, our world felt fragile. But in that difficult time, the HDU staff became our strength. Their care, compassion, and dedication helped save his life. We will forever remember the faces and the hands that supported him, and us, when we needed it most.” 

Honouring a member of their wider family, they have chosen to donate £10,000 to the Dialysis Unit at the Western Isles Hospital, they said: “We have also chosen to support the Dialysis Unit, in remembrance of our precious niece who passed away last year in Pakistan when all her organs failed. Her memory stays with us every day. By donating to the Dialysis Unit, we hope to honour her life and help others who are fighting their own battles for survival.” 

The couple wish to donate £10,000 to the Maternity Ward at the Western Isles Hospital to show their gratitude for the care their daughter received during difficult times, they said: “The Maternity Ward also holds a very special place in our hearts. Our daughter has experienced the heartbreak of pregnancy loss, and during those painful times the staff supported her with such kindness and compassion. The Maternity team cared for her with calm reassurance, and we offer our deepest thanks to Catherine Macdonald and all the staff at Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow, whose steady support guided our daughter through every moment of that frightening experience.” 

The remaining funds will go to the staff welfare fund.

The kind donation is made from their savings, and from interest that has collected over many years. The family’s faith Islam as Muslims, means that cannot use the interest for themselves but they are able to give it away to causes that help others.  

They said: “We could think of no place more deserving than the hospital that has helped our family again and again. We hope that our donation will offer support to the remarkable staff who work every day to care for our island community. And we hope that our act might inspire others – families, individuals, and local businesses – to give what they can, whether big or small.” 

“This island has been our home for a lifetime. Our donation is a small way of saying thank you—for life saved, life brought into this world, and life supported through illness. It is given with love, with gratitude, and with the hope that it will help others, just as we were helped.” 

The family also wished to extend a special thank you to all the staff at the Group Practice for their unwavering care and attention with special mention of Dr Louise Scott, Dr Macleod, Dr Michie and Dr Simpson.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “I am incredibly grateful and humbled by this extremely kind, and generous donation from Mr and Mrs Mohammed, which will make such a positive difference to a range of different departments and the people we serve. The reasons given by the family behind these donations are heartfelt and I would like to personally, and on behalf of the NHS Board, sincerely thank the Mohammed family for such kindness."