PICTURES: Two friends from Kirkhill are embarking on an incredible fundraising effort for the Highland Hospice
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Suzanna MacDonald and Jenny Keys are raising money to go to Lapland on a charity husky adventure in memory of Mrs MacDonald’s late husband.
Roddy Matheson died of cancer seven years ago to cancer and in his final weeks the hospice was there for both him and his wife, their home visits service providing both comfort and care.
Since then, Mrs MacDonald has thrown herself into fundraising for the charity, with no plans to stop any time soon.
She previously competed in the popular Strictly Inverness event, in 2019, and more recently took part in a sponsored abseil off the Kessock Bridge.
Her latest challenge on the charity’s behalf will she her and Ms Keys sledding 250km across the Lapland wilderness, with a fundraising goal of £7800.
It simply felt like the right adventure to take on at this time she said.
“I saw this one and thought it would be a good one to conquer. There is a constant drive for me to raise money for the hospice. This is the next adventure.
“Everything I do for the hospice is in my husband’s name.
“I’m looking forward to being taken out of our comfort zone. I’ve never done anything like this before.
“Strictly was bad enough but we embraced it. I can’t sit still and I never stop, this is another thing to add to my list of ticks.
“I wanted to do an extreme challenge and this is an ideal one.”
Ms Keys added: "Like many I have lots friends and family to cancer and have seen and hear how wonderful the local hospices are at supporting the family. I obviously know what a support they are for Suzi.
"I love a challenge and being outdoors so when I saw them advertising the husky trek it was a perfect way to help fundraise for the highland hospice and have an exciting adventure.
"I have never seen the Aurora so hoping I might see that too."
With fundraising already under way a recent prize raffle brought in £2000 alone.
The top prize of a two-night stay in a luxury lodge in Struy was donated to the pair by the owner of the popular Eagle Brae, Mike Spencer-Nairn.
After drawing the winner of the fantastic prize, the friends had their first go on a dog-drawn sled as a taste of the challenge that awaits them.
Toby and Amanda Leask, from Adventure Highland, kindly offered to take them for a spin with a pack of Scandinavian hounds around the grounds of Eagle Brae, also donating their fee for the dog training to the fundraiser.
Mrs MacDonald and Ms Keys enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to the adventure that awaits them in the snowy wastes from March 18.
