Inverness woman's plea to build Haven respite centre after Queen's British Empire Medal honour
ONE of Inverness’s most inspiring women called on local people to back her fundraising drive to build a centre for some of the region’s most vulnerable people as she received a British Empire Medal for services to charity.
Elsie Normington, development officer at Merkinch Community Centre, set up the Elsie Normington Foundation to raise money to build the Haven Centre in Murray Road, Smithton, which will provide respite, a specialist play area and housing for children and young adults with learning disabilities.
She told the Courier: “I want to be a voice for those who have no voice.” Now she is urging local people to back the campaign.
“Highland Hospice and the Archie Foundation have completed their fundraising and built their centres, we now need the public behind us,” she said.
“Over the past three years there has been a great amount of background work, but now all systems are go and we need a big push to raise the £3.2 million.”
Mrs Normington was presented with her British Empire Medal in recognition of her tireless efforts in helping young people with special needs by Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, Donald Cameron of Locheil, at a ceremony at the Town House yesterday.
Also receiving the British Empire Medal was 91-year-old Mary Helen Ross, who was tearful as she received her award for services to Scottish country dancing and various charities.
A humbled and honoured Mrs Normington, who lives in North Kessock, said the medal was validation of her work over the past two decades.
So far the foundation has raised £411,000 towards the Haven Centre, which will be unique to Scotland.
“We are looking for more people to raise funds for us,” she said. “If every workplace in Inverness decided to raise money for the Haven Centre it would go so far and make such a difference.”
Mary Helen Ross has organised countless dances and competitions which have raised thousands of pounds for charities including Mary’s Meals, Highland Hospice and Meals on Wheels.
Mrs Ross, of Drummond Road, Inverness, said: “It was very nice to be given this medal and I am humbled. It should be dedicated to my friends and associates in the country dancing world for all the help and support they have given me over the years.”
