WATCH: Meet the contestants taking part in Inverness’ Blue Lights Got Talent variety show for Cash for Kids and the Highland Hospice
Take a sneak peek at the emergency service workers taking part in the Blue Lights Got Talent variety show, that is raising funds for Cash for Kids and the Highland Hospice, in addition to raising awareness for Celebrating Amy.
Celebrating Amy is set to host a huge variety show to honour the life of Amy Tuach who died in 2022 after a battle with diabetes.
The group was set up a couple years ago after the 39-year-old from Muir of Ord died.
This year marked the two-year anniversary of Amy’s passing, prompting the team to pay tribute to her by hosting another event in her memory.
They have organised a Blue Lights Got Talent variety show that will unveil the talent of our emergency services and care workers in the Highlands.
Organisers are describing it as the 'most fun-filled, variety show the Highlands will see'.
Performers range from the emergency services, prison service, Coastguard service, armed forces and those working in care.
Melinda Lai, who is a junior doctor and is taking part as a singer, said: “I am taking part to conquer my stage fright, increase my self-confidence and I just love music in general.
“I will be singing in Mandarin, English, and in Korean while playing the guitar.
“The song I am singing represents me and my culture. It reminds me of home.”
Other contestants include Sarah Hewat, who is an NHS worker and will be singing with her son Aaron who will be playing the guitar.
Sarah said: “I am mainly taking part in this event because I turned 50-years-old last year and every year I set myself a challenge. Also, the Highland Hospice and Cash for Kids do so much amazing work.”
Police representative Rab Mulheron, who will be taking part as a comedian, said: “I have lost so many friends and family to cancer and the hospice does such a wonderful job.
“When I was younger and lived in Glasgow we didn’t have much, so Cash for Kids is amazing for making children’s lives happier.
“In this event we are there to enjoy ourselves, make people laugh and most importantly make lots of money for these charities.”
NHS worker and salsa dancer Tina Mulet Galvez has always had a passion for dance and is stepping out of her comfort zone, onto the stage, to help raise money for charity.
She said: “I am one of the teachers for Strictly Inverness, teaching the Latin side of things, so it’s very rare that I actually take part in an event. It is definitely a challenge and I am looking forward to it.”
Colene Watt, who is a support worker, and Claire Macphee, who is an NHS worker, will be singing a duet together. The pair have never sung together before, but are keen to set themselves a challenge in aid of a good cause that is close to their hearts.
Colene said: “I really wanted to take part because we, as a family, are really aware of how vitally important local charities are and the work that they do for our community.
“My son has got complex needs and we have received funding in the past from Cash for kids, so I just really wanted to take part to give something back to these charities and I absolutely love singing.”
Inverness’s own Miss Scotland, Chelsie Allison, who is one of the judges taking part in the event, said: “I have been working with the hospice over my year as Miss Scotland and I thought this was a really amazing event to get involved with so it is a privilege to be asked to be a judge.
“I think these events are really good for bringing communities together and bringing light to people like the emergency services.
“I think it’s important to get them involved in things like this and show talent that they might not show very often.
“I can’t wait to see them all on stage giving it their all.”
All of the acts will be scored via audience votes, in addition to judges scoring and the winning act will walk away with £1000 to donate to their chosen charity.
Blue Light’s Got Talent will raise funds for Highland Hospice and Cash for Kids, as well as other local charities close to the Celebrating Amy team.
Since the inception of Celebrating Amy, the team has raised more than £30,000 for numerous local charities including the hospice, Mikeysline, Cash for Kids, Step Up for Sam and Dream Believe Achieve.
The event will take place at the Drumossie Hotel, in Inverness, on September 21.
