Inverness Courier's happier highlights of 2023: March
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Some media may focus on doom and gloom but we like to share positive stories about people in our communities.
Here's a selection from March:
An Inverness woman spent the dark early mornings of January swimming the length of the English Channel to raise cash for the late Doddie Weir’s Motor Neurone Disease charity.
Originally, Tracey Maclaren and her friend Catherine Mackie – who got her into swimming last summer – were going to do the swim together, but sadly Catherine had to back out due to ill-health.
Tracey decided to take it on and swim the whole 22 miles herself, aiming to raise £500 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
An Inverness-born woman's efforts in the shoe industry and the wider community have been recognised with a prestigious award.
Sharon Reason (53) has been presented with the Honorary Freedom of the City of London award – a rare recognition of lifetime achievement or high international standing which is usually granted to royalty, heads of state or other figures of global standing.
She was also admitted to the the Worshipful Company of Patternmakers – an ancient London trade association – after colleagues put her name forward for the honour.
A charity fundraiser for Highland Hospice has raised £40,000 in just one glittering night.
The event at the Drumossie Hotel was to celebrate 18 women from the Highlands who are to trek the mountains of Croatia later this year.
The group, who call themselves the Blister Sisters, are setting off in May for a five-day trek across the Istria peninsula in the north of the country.
The roll of honour for Highland Heroes 2023 was announced at a special event in Inverness.
The annual celebration of unsung heroes of our community was organised by Highland News and Media at Drumossie Hotel.
Hundreds of people gathered at an Inverness hotel to see challengers take to the dance floor for Poppyscotland's biggest ever Come Dancing contest.
Dancers sparkled on the dance floor at the Kingsmills Hotel on Saturday – and helped the charity to smash expectations by raising almost £20,000 towards its welfare work with the armed forces community.
Winners Barry Hirst and Sarah Wilson were dancing on air after they dazzled the judges and the capacity crowd with their Jive and Viennese waltz to claim the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
The stars were out in Inverness, taking part in a charity fundraiser.
The Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness played host to a Stars in their Eyes competition in aid city charity SNAP (Special Needs Project) which runs youth events, clubs and activities for Highland youngsters with additional support needs.
Eight contestants took part, transformed into an array of singing stars and taking the stage to entertain.
