Unsung Inverness hero in TV spotlight
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An Inverness woman will be in the TV spotlight tonight.
Alison MacRitchie, who runs the Head Gardener salon in Church Street, will be on Scotland’s People with Jackie Bird.
The show is a festive celebration of Scotland’s unsung heroes and Mrs MacRitchie was nominated for an award by a customer who flagged up her fundraising for local charities, such as Highland Hospice, over the years.
Mrs MacRitchie said she has also been receiving treatment this year, following a breast cancer diagnosis, and has since received the all clear.
Filming was brought forward because she was due to undergo surgery and she said that she was “stitched up” in a good way – she was asked to cut an actress’s hair at the hospice.
She said: “The whole actress thing was a set up and I was minding my own business cutting this lady’s hair [and in came the] film crew.”
One of her favourite actors – Elaine C Smith from Two Doors Down – was also involved before Ms Bird burst in with her award, and friends and family gathered to say “thank you”.
Mrs MacRitchie has been supporting and fundraising for the hospice for a decade, in the wake of the help given to her sister and father by the centre – in that time she has raised more than £100,000.
As well as running major events like Highland Hearts of Gold, which showcases patients and families tackling difficult diagnoses, she volunteers at the centre cutting hair for patients.
Ms Bird said: “We are saying thank you to people who do so much for others, often without a thought for themselves.
“Their stories are so inspiring and it is lovely at this time of the year to acknowledge what they have done for their communities across Scotland.”
• The show will be on BBC One Scotland at 8pm.
