Fund-raising efforts for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal have pushed the total so far though the £600,000 mark.
The figure includes cash donations of more than £450,000 plus £150,000 pledged by the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Launched last March, the £1 million appeal aims to transform the existing children’s ward into a world-class centre for sick children within two years.
The work will involve a radical redesign to create a more co-ordinated and focused layout with a child-centred and family-friendly environment, improved facilities, more support for families and more cutting-edge equipment.
Appeal chairman David Sutherland is delighted with the results so far and paid tribute to the efforts of those who have been helping to raise funds.
"I think the appeal is doing really well," he said. "It is heading in the right direction. I am pretty confident we can maintain the momentum in the next few months."
David Cunningham, chief executive of the ARCHIE Foundation, described the figure as "fantastic" and said they were hugely grateful to everybody who has given so far.
"We have been lucky to secure two very large donations, from our appeal chairman David Sutherland and his family and from the Inverness Common Good Fund which have really pushed this total much higher than we imagined at this stage," he said.
"The next year of the appeal will be crucial if we are to make the huge difference we know is possible for the Children’s Ward in Raigmore and I would like to thank everyone who is getting involved - and encourage everyone else do so!
Mr Cunningham will be running in the Inverness Half Marathon next month to support the appeal and is hoping others will take the opportunity to join in, too.
* Buy The Inverness Courier to read about more fund-raising efforts including an event being organised by an Inverness mum in memory of her daughter who died aged eight.
