PICTURES: Highland Hospice Cup strictly raises money for charity in Inverness
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CHARITY was the real winner as footballers put on their boots to compete in the 10th Highland Hospice Cup.
Hospice All Stars lifted the trophy as they defeated their opposition 10-5 at Millburn Academy on Sunday.
Regardless of the scoreline, everyone was happy at full time as they raised £561.
The money will be donated to the fundraising efforts of Rachel Wood and Reece Ross who are competing at Strictly Inverness 2024 in aid of the hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.
The annual ballroom dancing extravaganza will take place over four days, starting on Wednesday, May 8.
Miss Scotland Chelsie Allison was at the match when she presented the trophy to the winning team.
Cleanco helped with their fundraising events by paying for the rental of the pitch to ensure all money raised went to charity.
Will Macrae (48), who works as a digital fundraiser with Highland Hospice, and is a former Strictly Inverness contestant, was delighted with how much money they raised that will go towards a great cause.
He said: “Some of the boys that were involved in the game have been involved for a number of years.
“This year we had a number of new players which was really good. The opposition generated their own team which James Paterson managed to organise.
“We were delighted to hold the event this year to help Rachel and Reece.
"There was very little positional play in both teams but we were happy to win 10-5."
Macrae organised the first Highland Hospice Cup in 2014 when he took part in Strictly Inverness.
He helped organise the event for Iain Macbeath in 2015 and ever since the duo have organised the event to help participants taking part in Strictly Inverness.
He said: “The first Highland Hospice was established in 2014 and has been held almost every year, apart from three years when it had to be cancelled due to Covid.
“After I did it for myself, I thought it would be a great way to help people raise funds for Strictly Inverness every year. Iain, who took part the year after, we held the match to raise funds for him.
"Ever since then, Iain and I have helped organise the cup for somebody that has been doing strictly.
“Normally that is somebody who has a connection to us in some way and over the years we have done it with different people.”
Strictly Inverness is taking place between Wednesday, May 8 and Saturday, May 11 for Highland Hospice.
