Ness Factor 2024 contestant Shelley Gill hoping to find herself again through singing competition while raising money for Highland Hospice
Ness Factor 2024 contestant Shelley Gill says she is looking to find herself again through taking part in the competition.
The National Road Victim Service regional manager has sung in front of crowds before as part of the Military Wives’ Choir, although she admits it took some time for her to find her feet in the group.
Mrs Gill also has a strong track record of fundraising and lifting up others in her local community, having regularly contributed to both Maggie’s Highlands and the Highland Hospice in the past as well as starting up the Acts of Kindness group on Facebook during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic – which saw her and husband Dominic receive a Points of Light award from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
However, during that same time Mrs Gill feels she lost her way somewhat, and she is hoping that taking part in Ness Factor alongside long-time friend Charlie Simmonds can help her rediscover her sense of self.
“I’ve just seen how valuable the Highland Hospice is through my granny and grandad being in there,” she explained.
“I’ve always done little fundraisers for various charities, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do something big to give back.
“For me personally this is the biggest thing because I’m putting myself out there. Usually I can hide behind events or whatever I’m putting out to the public, but this time I’m putting myself out there and it’s absolutely petrifying.
“I’m the type of person who likes to be around people, chatting and getting to know people and meeting new faces, but since Covid I got so comfortable shutting myself away, staying indoors and not being very sociable that it’s been really difficult to get back to where I was.
“I’m hoping that this will be a confidence builder, and that it will help me to engage socially with the community again when I haven’t been doing that for a long time.
“I remember the buzz that you would get after performing, and I’m hoping that I will be able to get that again and be uplifted by everyone who supports the event – and the run up to it with the fundraising we’re doing.”
Mrs Gill’s fundraising efforts are already under way, having raised £340 in a raffle for a ticket to Belladrum.
She has also organised a night of mediumship with Barry Hogg in September, and is in the planning stage for another event with fellow contestant Rua Nicole Connell.
Even with some fundraising experience, it can be a stressful part of the competition as Ness Factor entrants try to raise as much money for Highland Hospice as they possibly can.
However, Mrs Gill has the support of duet partner Charlie to help her through both on and off the stage.
“I felt quite overwhelmed doing the Bella tickets, because I was constantly on the phone checking for updates,” she admitted.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone, because I must have been quite annoying on social media with all the fundraising stuff. Everyone has been understanding, and if anything people have been so supportive. That’s what keeps us going.
“It is going to be hard work, but you’ve got to think about why you’re doing it. Highland Hospice are worth it. It’s worth all of the stress and all of the feelings of overwhelm for the end goal, which will be loads of money for the Hospice with so many of us doing it.
“You can’t do that unless you’ve got the support of the people around you, so I need to pull on those community links that I’ve got as well.
“I’ve known Charlie my whole life, and it will be so nice to be on stage with him and have his support by my side. I don’t think I would have done it on my own.
“When we had our first group rehearsal it was just so much fun. We all came out of it absolutely buzzing.
“It’s all about building this community of really lovely people. I’m looking forward to not just having Charlie with me, but also making friends with all the other contestants as well.”
