Bingo and bakes bring £1300 boost for Haven Appeal
STAFF at an Inverness company have given their backing to a bold vision to create a pioneering centre for children and young adults with multiple and complex needs.
Workers at MacGregor Industrial Supplies handed over £1300 to the Haven Appeal which aims to develop the facility – Scotland’s first – on a site at Smithton.
The money was raised through a range of activities including bake sales, in-house bingo and raffles.
Gillian Cooper, a keen supporter and volunteer for the appeal, visited the company’s headquarters in Henderson Road to collect the proceeds.
Alison Buchan, the company’s hygiene and catering divisional manager, said she first heard about the £4 million appeal through Ms Cooper who is a customer. Her late father, Graham Cooper was also treasurer of the Elsie Normington Foundation which launched the appeal.
Ms Buchan said the company raises about £8000 each year for a broad range of charities.
"We like to pick local charities and we thought it was about time we did something for the Haven Appeal," she said.
Counter assistant Angus Beaton played a key role in the fundraising drive.
"He organised it - coming round and selling bingo tickets and between us all, we sorted out a raffle," Ms Buchan said.
The appeal is also supported by the Inverness Courier to mark the paper’s 200th anniversary.
The Haven Centre will include respite care, a community cafe and garden, play centres and meeting rooms.
People across the Highlands are being invited to take up the Haven 200 Challenge to raise at least £200 whether as an individual or group effort.
Those who reach the target will receive a certificate and a listing on the appeal website while the best stories will be featured in the Courier.
For further details email info@havenappeal.org.uk or visit www.havenappeal.org.uk.
