Inverness businesswoman Alison McRitchie helps Highland Hospice ‘Calendar Girls’ fulfil their dream
A group of ladies who are living with life-limiting illness have completed a ‘Calendar Girls’ photoshoot to fulfil one of their bucket-list wishes.
The six ladies - Robyn Hammond, Tracey Lyon, Karen Watson, Kathreen Hunter, Sarah Warner and Helen Mulgrew - attend a weekly group therapy session in Highland Hospice’s rehabilitation and wellbeing department.
They expressed their desire to create the fun calendar, with the motive of highlighting positive body image.
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Staff at the hospice rallied to enable their dream to become a reality - only made possible down to the generosity of big-hearted Inverness businesswoman Alison McRitchie, who is sponsoring the calendar’s photography and printing costs.
Alison, owner of the city’s Head Gardener hair salon, has a strong connection with the hospice where both her dad and sister received care.
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She organises the annual fundraiser Catwalk for a Cause for the charity, showcasing inspirational people who have had their own battle with life-limiting illness. February’s event raised an incredible £73,000 - and the models have just been selected for next year’s Catwalk which takes place on February 8 at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.
Alison said: “We sadly lost my dear friend Sandra Patience to cancer in May of this year, which really highlighted how precious life is. I have also had my own cancer journey so I understand why the ladies want to celebrate living their lives and being positive about their bodies. It’s so important.
“This is a fabulous idea, and the ladies have such a lovely rapport - I know they have had a lot of fun planning and putting it together.”
The group’s Karen Watson said: “We are so grateful to Alison for her generous support of our idea. This is something I’ve always dreamed of doing, and between us all we came up with some terrific ideas for the calendar.
“As a group, we get so much comfort and support from the hospice’s rehabilitation and wellbeing service. We know each other so well and share lots about our diagnoses and journeys. However, there are members of the group who are no longer with us and this is always difficult - and exactly why we want to celebrate the here and now!”
The shoot took place in Ness Walk Hotel on Wednesday, photographed by Alison White with hair done by The Head Gardener and make-up by Laura Williamson of the city’s Angel Beauty Salon. The calendars are due to be printed shortly, and will be available to purchase in The Head Gardener, Willow & Blue and Rebel Row as well as being stocked by the hospice’s various retail outlets.
Hospice fundraiser Emma Nicol said: “Huge thanks to Ali for funding this calendar, it means the world to our ladies. The shoot has been so lovely, and we hope many people will purchase a calendar - all proceeds will go to Highland Hospice.
“Thanks also to Ness Walk Hotel for allowing us to use their premises, and to Alison White for stepping in to provide the photography at short notice. We can’t wait to see the finished product!”
