PICTURES: Raising the roof and funds at Big Spring Sing for the Haven Centre in Inverness which is set to become Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs
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Groups of singers joined forces to bring joy and happiness at the return of a charity fundraising concert in Inverness.
The annual Big Spring Sing raises money for the Haven Centre which is now under construction at a site in Smithton.
Due to be completed next year, it will be Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
The fundraising concert, which has not taken place during the coronavirus pandemic, returned to the stage at Smithton Church.
It featured performances by the Gaelic School Choir, Smithton Primary School Sing and Sign, the Rainbow Singers comprising adults with learning disabilities, and Singing For Pleasure which meets at Merkinch Community Centre.
The Haven Centre project is led by the Elsie Normington Foundation whose chairwoman was involved in the concert.
Mrs Normington said it had been "absolutely great" and the 500-capacity hall had been almost full.
"It was hugely successful," said Mrs Normington.
"The hall was full of joy and happiness and fun and smiles."
The concert was compered by Smithton Church minister, Rev Alasdair Macleod.
There was also an update on the £4.1m Haven Centre project by Rona Matheson, community fundraiser for the appeal.
It is being built at a site in Murray Road, Smithton, previously occupied by Culloden Court Care Home which was destroyed by a blaze in 2010.
It will comprise three two-bedroom respite flats for young adults up to the age of 30, an indoor specialist play centre with childcare facilities, a community café, meeting spaces and outdoor garden.
The project has received support from the Scottish Government, the Big Lottery Fund and Highland Council plus donations from the public but fundraising continues.
Mrs Normington thanked those who had supported the fundraising concert as well as everyone who has supported the long-awaited centre so far.
"Lots of people have supported us all these years and we are enormously grateful to them and the community and the funders," she said.
Construction begins on pioneering £4.1m multi-purpose centre
