'Wear yellow' day in aid of hospice appeal
An invitation to turn the region yellow has been issued by Highland Hospice as it prepares to make a big push towards the £4.5 million target for a new inpatient unit in Inverness.
A special fundraising week will be held from April 25 to May 1 when notable city landmarks will be adorned with artificial sunflowers as part of the hospice’s ongoing Project Build Appeal. Businesses, schools, community groups and individuals are also being urged to organise their own special yellow-themed fundraising initiatives.
As part of the campaign, Friday, April 29 has been designated "Wear Yellow Day" with people invited to wear something yellow in return for a donation to the hospice.
The hashtag #wearyellow is being used on social media to encourage people to share their images, with a family pass to the Belladrum festival near Beauly up for grabs for the best photograph received.
The winning school image will receive a pizza-making party for 10 at Pizza Express with transport to and from school.
The Project Build Appeal, to develop a new £7.5 million facility on the banks of the River Ness, has been running for the past two years. In addition to the money raised from the appeal, hospice reserves will make up the rest of the amount needed.
Community fundraiser Carrie MacIntyre said: "With just under £800,000 still needed to hit our appeal target, the next few months are crucial which is why we have decided to organise something that we hope will create a buzz locally and engage the whole of the Highlands.
"All we want is for people to join us in having a bit of yellow-themed fun while helping us to raise the much-needed funds to complete our new facility."
During next month’s fundraising push, sunflowers will be placed on landmarks including Flora Macdonald’s statue at the front of Inverness Castle, Nessie at the Dores roundabout leading to Tesco Ness-Side and the eagle at the Inshes Retail Park roundabout.
The hospice’s sunflower emblem will also be beamed on to Inverness Castle and the grounds of Inverness Caley Thistle Football Club on Saturday, April 30.
Scottish Water staff have organised a 10-mile cycle from the organisation’s Henderson Road base to coincide with Wear Yellow Day. The fundraiser is also being supported by staff at Morrison Construction, the Bank of Scotland, Eastgate, Johnston Carmichael, Highland Industrial Supplies, V8 Café, HighNet, Police Scotland, Stagecoach and TSB.
Earlier this month, a "topping out" ceremony was held after the new development reached its highest point with completion of the turret stair. The unit is on target to open on October 16.
It will have redesigned day therapy spaces, a quiet sanctuary room and increased physiotherapy, occupational therapy and bereavement support facilities.
There will also be nine single bedrooms and one shared room, improving patient choice and increasing the levels of privacy offered.
*For further information about Wear Yellow Day and the fundraising week, visit www.highlandhospice.org/wearyellow or call (01463) 246473.
