Tea and cakes turned out to be a perfect blend for The Inverness Courier’s Cuppa For Kids event which raised more than £1000 for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal.
Hosted by the city’s historic Royal Highland Hotel, the event attracted a steady stream of people who joined The Inverness Courier’s editorial team for a cup of tea or coffee and refreshments.
Lib Dem Treasury minister Danny Alexander dropped in to buy raffle tickets and a chocolate cake from the baking stall while Highlands and Islands MSPs Rhoda Grant (Labour) and Mary Scanlon (Conservative) put aside their political differences to enjoy a refreshing brew together.
SNP MSP John Finnie plus Highland councillors John Ford, Janet Campbell and Roddy Balfour were among the wide range of people – from babies to pensioners – who helped to raise a total of £1026.55.
Cake-baking Courier staff – who donned bright yellow T-shirts bearing the appeal’s logo – provided most of the goodies to sell. There were also contributions from other supporters including Debbie Parker, of Cupcake Creations, and Ruby Mackay of Munlochy as well as many anonymous donations.
A programme of live music featured members of the Inverness Festivals Band, one had travelled from Auchertmuchty to take part.
Ambient, a piano/guitar duo comprising Charleston Academy pupils Stephen Grant and Joseph Sweeney, performed a selection of instrumental pieces while guitar-playing Courier journalist Donald Wilson and Dougie Gray entertained with several songs.
Return flights for two on the new Inverness to Amsterdam route, courtesy of Flybe, were won in the raffle by Carol Ann Crossan, an employee at the Royal Highland Hotel. The winner of the murder mystery night competition was Sandra Chalmers, of Trentham Court, Inverness.
All the other winning raffle ticket holders have been informed.
Launched six months ago by the ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with The Inverness Courier, the appeal aims to raise £1 million to create a more child-centred and family-focused children’s ward.
The newspaper’s chief reporter Val Sweeney, who helped to organise the Cuppa For Kids event, thanked those who supported it.
"A huge thank you to everyone, from those who provided home baking to people who joined us for a cuppa and made a donation," she said.
"Not only did it raise money for the appeal, it also raised its profile. We understand at least two more fundraisers are now being planned – a similar event in Beauly and a ceilidh in Nairn."
The Drumnadrochit-based Cobbs group also joined in the Cuppa For Kids theme with a free cake day at all of its outlets on Thursday.
