Stepping out on the Catwalk For A Cause in aid of Highland Hospice
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Preparations are in place ahead of an Inverness fundraising event in aid of Highland Hospice.
As well as the hospice the End of Life Care Together partnership – which includes organisations across voluntary, health and social care including Highland Hospice, NHS Highland, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Relief – will also benefit.
There already has been an overwhelming response to Catwalk for a Cause, which will be held at the Drumossie Hotel on Saturday, February 11, with MKM Building Supplies as the headline sponsor.
It will feature a host of brave individuals whose lives have been affected by cancer, taking to the catwalk modelling sustainable fashion from hospice boutiques and telling their own individual stories.
Lined up as special guests are Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon – from the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C – who will pay tribute to the late Dame Deborah James (aka Bowelbabe).
Organiser Alison McRitchie said: “Prep-arations are going very well indeed and we have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of businesses and individuals who have donated items for the auction and ticket sales have been fantastic.”
An online auction went live online on Wednesday and Mrs McRitchie said: “Guests will enjoy a glass of fizz and canapés on arrival, the chance to get their photo taken by Clare Ball, before enjoying the first half of the show where our incredible models will show fashions from The Highland Hospice boutiques.
“A beautiful light supper is served during the interval then more stories and fashions from our brave individuals.
“Nicola McAlley is our gorgeous host and will gently guide our brave models who will take to the catwalk and tell stories of strength, hope, courage and inspiration.
“Some of those stories will be in memory of a loved one, some incredible stories of hope, some who have been personally affected by cancer.
“It will be an emotionally charged evening and we are warning guests to definitely bring their tissues.”
Mrs McRitchie thanked all event sponsors and said: “Thanks to an anonymous donor we are now a zero cost event therefore I’m delighted to say all proceeds will go to Highland Hospice.
“Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon are our special guests and will be paying tribute to Dame Deborah James and her Rebellious Hope.
“If you would like to come then please contact Emma Nicol at the Highland Hospice for any availability.”
Highland Hospice fundraiser Emma Nicol said: “The response has been overwhelming, with such incredible people ready to walk the catwalk and share their very personal life stories to help others as well as all the people buying tickets or offering support and sponsorship, everyone is so appreciated.
“We would be thrilled to smash £60,000 which will be split between our local Highland Hospice and chosen cancer charities of You, Me & the Big C which will help with support, education and research for many years to come,” she said.
“We are pleased to have Steve and Lauren with us for the evening. Their podcasts have really supported and inspired so many people, covering heavy topics with such honesty really helps to get these difficult conversations started which is so important. Sadly, Deborah James DBE never got to make the journey north to join us but we look forward to hearing stories from her good friends and hearing how her legacy continues through her Bowelbabe Research UK.
“We have been overwhelmed with the response, people who have found themselves or a loved one in situations completely outwith their control and continue to courageously fight the fight and find a new way of living each day as best they can for themselves, their families and friends. Although we have enough models for next year’s event we would encourage anyone to get in touch as we aim to run the event again in 2024.”
Emma also praised organiser Alison McRitchie who is well-known locally as director of The Head Gardener salon in Inverness.
n Tickets are £55 and are selling fast. Contact e.nicol@highlandhospice.org.uk to secure your place.
