All-night Inverness football fun for children's charity

A sleepless night of sporting fun in Inverness is aiming to raise thousands for charity for a third year in a row.

The Inverness Business Group has launched what will be the third annual Sneckie Insomnia Soccer event, an overnight five-a-side tournament taking place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19.

Organised in aid of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) the first outing raised £17,000 while this year’s event raised £23,000.

Organisers are hoping to do even better in 2020 with a fundraising target of £25,000.

Frank Gaskell, of the Inverness Business Group, said: “We’re encouraging football enthusiasts of all ages and fitness levels to get involved and share the physical benefits of the game and the privilege of raising funds to support CHAS at the same time.

“We think that children who need palliative care and their parents who need respite, and time to just be mum and dad, sometimes go under the radar and we wanted to do something that could make the lives of those families easier and see the impact right here in the Highlands.”

CHAS currently supports more than 20 childen with life-shortening conditions and their families in Inverness and the Highlands and Moray areas.

The charity’s community fundraiser, Ruathy Donald, said: “CHAS relies on the generosity of supporters like the Inverness Businesses Fives to be able to provide its vital services, which many families describe as a life-line.

“We simply couldn’t do what we do without them and we’d like to thank Frank and the team for their continual support and commitment to local families.”

For more information on the event and how to get involved see www.facebook.com/sneckieinsomniasoccer

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