Donna Fraser from Inverness is on song with boost to Ness Factor funds for Highland Hospice
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Fundraising is going well for one Inverness finalist in this year’s Ness Factor.
Donna Fraser, who works with the project estates team at NHS Highland and is mum to five-year-old Cameron, is taking part in the annual singing contest where all funds are donated to Highland Hospice.
The 34-year-old has already held a successful prize bingo night, with live music from the Travelling Wrinklies, games and raffles at Café V8 in Inverness.
Hospice mascot Bobby the Bee also made an appearance and the evening raised £1987.
Miss Fraser, who is from the Balloch area, also organised a kids’ fancy dress sponsored walk that had been due to be held August, but that had to be postponed and be rescheduled, and she was also hoping to organise another fundraiser with live music and her next fundraiser will be a hoolie with a night of live music and possibly another raffle on Saturday, October 29.
She is taking part in the singing competition, she said, because the hospice is a cause which was close to her heart.
“I have experience of the service through close family members, and families of my friends also,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to give something back to them, and thought Ness Factor would be the perfect opportunity given I’m no marathon runner admittedly.”
She added: “Music has had a special place with me from a young age and it’s great to be able to incorporate that and support the hospice at the same time.
“I’m so glad we have the facility here and cannot praise them highly enough for all they do for both the patients and the families.”
She said she was “absolutely loving” the singing tuition she is currently receiving, stressing: “It’s been a long sabbatical since my last real performance in school.
“Tony [Henry] is the best coach I could have wished for.
“We just clicked from day one and I always look forward to our rehearsals. We have a great laugh but he also doesn’t mess about.
“He has taught me so much in such a short space of time.
“I’m excited to see where I’ll be vocally by November.”
Coach Tony Henry is mentoring another two of the event’s nine finalists and Miss Fraser described the whole group as “brilliant”.
“We’ve all gelled so well already,” she said.
“It’s such an intense journey that at times I almost forget we’ve got our big night in November as we are all so focused on our rehearsals and fundraising along the way – which is great.
“I’m looking forward to giving it my all on the night, seeing everyone who has come along to support me and raising a huge amount for such a fantastic organisation.”
She said she wanted to thank everyone who had supported her so far and added: “It’s been really quite overwhelming, the outpouring of support, and I’m determined to give everyone a performance to remember in return for their generosity in November.”
Her partner is 38-year-old Ross McConnachie and they have one child – five-year-old Cameron.
As well as Miss Fraser there are eight other finalists in this year’s Ness Factor competition: Stephen Laurie, Lisa Gray, Jennifer Urquhart, Fiona Clark, Andrew Gill, Caitlin Farquhar, Moira Black and Gregor Matheson.
They are all spending their time in the run up to the main event on November 2 – being held at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness – training their voices to be as good as possible and fundraising in aid of the hospice.
