Charity will help pay for vital children's care
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An event held to mark the launch of a new children’s charity has raised hundreds of pounds.
A Mad Hatters’ Tea Party was held in Balloch Village Hall to celebrate the foundation of Dream, Believe, Achieve Highland.
The charity was set up by the parents of three-year-old Sam Douglas, who suffers from an undiagnosed neurological condition.
Through the Step Up for Sam campaign, they funded vital treatment for their son which is not available on the NHS, and through Dream, Believe, Achieve Highland, they will offer grants to other families in a similar position.
Sam’s proud mum Steph said: "It was brilliant. The event was sold out, so we had 60 children there.
"Tickets cost £10 which covered everything. A lot of the time when you go to these events you can end up spending a fortune on different things, but we wanted it to be affordable.
"The event was brilliant and a lot of people helped out.
"We did have to pay for some of the things but so many people donated time and services."
The event has already raised enough to fund a grant for one child, and Mrs Douglas says they are aiming to help many more families across the north.
"We raised £617.50 which is fantastic," she added.
"That will cover the cost of one grant.
"It’s going to give families like ourselves who can’t afford to pay for the therapies a way to access treatment.
"We set out with the aim of helping 10 children a year but the more we can raise the better.
"Because of what’s been done already we are now able to bring some therapists to Inverness.
"That would mean more families are able to access treatments which we feel is so important."
