In just 18 months, visitors to Edinburgh's award winning attraction, The Real Mary King's Close, have helped to raise a staggering £15,743.64 which was donated to the children of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation on Thursday 20 August 2009.

Since donations started six years ago, the memory of little ghost girl Annie, who used to live in one of the dwellings that now lies within The Real Mary King's Close visitor attraction, has helped to raise around £28,000 for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Yesterday's grand handover was led by two character guides from the attraction: Mary King herself and the Merchant, Stephen Boyd, who interacted and played with the youngsters on Ward 4, the Surgical and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) ward.

In the era of Mary King, children such as Annie would have played traditional games such as the spinning top and the 'gird and cleik' - more commonly known as the hoop and stick. However, on this occasion, Mary King and the Merchant were invited by the children to try out some modern day toys.

Nigel Hosier, general manager at The Real Mary King's Close, commented: "It is a great honour that 'Annie's Money' has, since 2003, been able to generate so much for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. I hope that people's generosity will live on with the legacy of Annie for years to come."

Continuing the theme of play, this year's impressive donation will be used to fund a new state-of-the-art play room on the oncology ward at the Foundation. For children who are undergoing long-term treatment, the play room gives them somewhere to socialise with one another which in turn, can help the healing process. With the assistance of Play Specialists, the children will be able to interact through creative play and participatory games.

"The story of Annie has touched so many visitors to The Real Mary King's Close and it is moving to see this continue year after year", said Maureen Harrison, director of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

"As well as comforting Annie through their donations, people are also helping children and their families in Edinburgh to live the best lives they can. This year's donation will help to create a play room at the Foundation which will bring a lot of happiness to our young patients."

The legendary tale of Annie at one of Edinburgh's leading attractions, The Real Mary King's Close, started in 1993 when a famous Japanese psychic called Aiko Gibo came to visit the close. She communicated with the young girl's spirit and discovered that Annie had been left by her parents in a small room off Allan's Close in the 1700's because she had the plague. She had lost her favourite doll and was heartbroken, so Gibo had a doll brought to comfort the child, who was 'absolutely delighted'. Ever since, people from all over the world have left Annie gifts including dolls and other toys as well as money. It is said that as long as the doll remains there the room will not be disturbed by her spirit.

For more information about the work of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation