Highland Cross 2017
Yet another record year for Highland Cross fundraising! 10th
record in the last 12 years!
The
record figure raised in 2016 from Highland Cross participants was
£277,189 but this has been surpassed by Highland Cross 2017
competitors raising a superb total of
£280,346!
This
now means that Highland Cross has raised over £4.7million
over the 35 years of the event. On 23 November 2017 the 5
principal charities received presentations:
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Abbeyfield Ballachulish Society
received £42,930
to purchase a minibus
-
Caberfeidh Horizons
received £22,794 to purchase a vehicle
-
Dundonnell Mountain Rescue
received two new 4 x 4 vehicles
-
Merkinch Community Centre Association
received a contribution of £58,000 towards their new minibus
-
Shopmobility Highland, Dingwall
received £50,389 to purchase a minibus
In
addition to the primary causes, the participants’ success will also
allow some smaller grants totalling over £52,000 to be distributed
to charities across Highland over the next month.
The Organisers would once again like to thank competitors, sponsors
and volunteers for their continued support of Highland Cross.
TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS 2017 |
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Top 10 |
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Team
Amount Raised |
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Team Name |
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Competitor Names |
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1 |
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£11,430.00 |
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Team Focus "A" |
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Wendy Davidson |
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Ali Davidson |
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Calum Munro |
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2 |
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£8,655.00 |
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Over the Hill |
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Steven Scott |
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Angela Rae |
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Gavin MacLean |
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3 |
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£6,631.93 |
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Lovat Lungbusters |
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Iain Shepherd |
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Simon Lovat |
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Jack Fraser |
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4 |
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£2,731.07 |
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Ambulance E |
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Alasdair McDougall |
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Michael Walker |
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Calum Reid |
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5 |
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£2,570.00 |
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The 3 Amigos |
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Justin Heggie |
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Darren Simpson |
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Kevin Lewis |
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6 |
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£2,401.10 |
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Cabrich Cobras |
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Ross MacLennan |
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Iain MacLennan |
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Mark MacLennan |
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7 |
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£2,346.00 |
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A Chick, A Hen & an Old
Cockerel |
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Donnie Morrison |
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Shena Morrison |
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John Beaton |
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8 |
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£2,212.50 |
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Snail's Pace |
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Ian Cameron |
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Carolyn Cameron |
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Elizabeth Ward |
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9 |
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£2,050.00 |
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No Team Name |
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Andrew Philips |
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Martin Patience |
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Gordon Simpson |
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10 |
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£2,025.00 |
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Spooks (Chest, Heart & Stroke) |
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Maurice Gibson |
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Cameron Gibson |
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Hugh Thomson |
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Photography
Photography from
Highland Cross 2017 is available here:
Lost Property
One of our competitors is looking for help in finding a lost item –
a custom built bicycle wheel with a black rim, H Plus Son on the rim
in white lettering. Please let us know if you have this by mistake.
We now have a number of items of lost property and perhaps you can
get in touch with us should you be missing any of the following:
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Animal Black/Grey striped rucksack with women’s navy/red/green
trainers size 7
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Grey/black Trepass Airtrap fleece (L)
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Carrier with yellow trainers and blue children’s Dare2b
zipper top
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1 Garmin watch
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Pair of tortoiseshell glasses
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Pair of Serelo sunglasses
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Pair of BTwin clear cycling glasses
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Black/red/white NorthSport Photography waterproof (XL)
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Cash
Please telephone us on 07729 892 702 or email us on
info@highlandcross.co.uk
– these items have now been transferred to Redwood, 19 Culduthel
Road, Inverness, IV2 4AA.
Members of the Highland Cross Community will have seen news coverage
of the tragic death of a PDG Aviation Services pilot in a crash in
North Uist on 13th
June. PDG has been part of the Highland Cross
Community since the start of the event and not only as our superb
aerial cover but also through generations of their staff being
fundraising participants in the event.
We have expressed our profound sadness to their CEO at this terrible
loss.
The Highland Cross Organisers
Mrs
Susan Reid
The
Organisers of Highland Cross were deeply saddened to learn of the
death of Susan Reid. Susan died
peacefully surrounded by her family in Highland Hospice on Thursday
17th May. Susan was a
volunteer with the Cross from the beginning working at the
Athnamulloch Feeding Station at the start of the “Yellow Brick
Road”. Ultimately she and her dear friend Angie Knapp led the team
that delivered the amazing level of service enjoyed by participants
and fellow volunteers. Recently due to health challenges Susan and
Angie passed over the leadership of the site to their daughters
Fiona and Janie.
Susan has
been cared for in the Hospice for a while but retained a constant
interest in the arrangements for the forthcoming Cross. It is sadly
fitting that Highland Hospice is one of the nominated beneficiaries
for this year’s event. Susan was
the most reliable of friends and had an amazing warmth and joy in
the company of people which made her perfect for her role in the
Cross. Our deepest
condolences go out to her husband, Jim, and her whole family.
Calum Munro
Co-Founder
and Organising Secretary
Highland
Cross
Miriam Campbell
Highland Cross is deeply saddened to announce the death of Miss
Miriam Campbell of Beauly. Miriam has been a stalwart
supporter of Highland Cross since it was invited to place its Finish
in Beauly 34 years ago. Along with her sister, Catriona, she
organised the collaboration of Ladies Groups who continue to supply
the meal to participants in the Phipps Hall. Her brother James
is the Highland Cross’s Beauly Organiser.
Miriam was the epitome of a Highland lady and was deeply committed
to her family and to the well being of her community. Her death is a
sore loss for all who knew and cared for her. Highland Cross
will be represented at her funeral in Beauly on Wednesday 7th
June.
Highland Cross congratulates Crossroads Skye and Lochalsh
Highland Cross is extremely proud to have assisted the wonderful
team at Crossroads Skye and Lochalsh with funding in the past and is
grateful to them and to their Manager, Jenny Millington, for having
staffed the Lichdt House Water Point in past years.
It has just been announced that that for the SEVENTH year running
they have achieved the highest possible score in their Care
Commission unannounced inspection. This is a remarkable testament to
the commitment of everybody involved in this wonderful service but
especially to Jenny Millington and her team who deliver such a much
needed service in the remote communities of Skye and Lochalsh.
Highland Cross is proud to be associated with such a wonderful
causes and those of you who fundraise for the event and work to make
it happen can see the quality of the organisations that your efforts
support.
For more on this see:
http://www.whfp.com/2017/07/05/glowing-inspection-report-for-excellent-crossroads-care/
Freedom of Beauly and the Glens Award
Highland
Cross were delighted to be amongst the organisations supporting the
award of the "Freedom of Beauly and the Glens" to the Campbell
family from Beauly. James Campbell was instrumental in
arranging for the second event to switch its finish from Inverness
to Beauly.
Beauly is in many ways the spiritual home of Highland Cross! James
has been the Beauly Organiser for the Cross for the last 34 years
and his sisters Miriam and Catriona have been key workers in
organising the Beauly ladies' organisations to provide the finish
meal for the participants. As well as their work for the Cross
the family has worked tirelessly for the betterment of Beauly and
contributed hugely to community and business life.
Highland Cross was represented at the Freedom Ceremony by Calum
Munro who was also asked to act as the Master of Ceremonies for the
event.

Gerry Grant
collecting his MBE with his wife Sheila
at
Buckingham Palace on 16 November 2017
Special
Endeavour Trophy Winner 2017 - Ian Stewart
For those
competitors who attended the Presentation on Saturday 17th
June, they have already heard a summary of why Ian Stewart was
chosen for the Special Endeavour Trophy for 2017. Here is a
summary, written by Ian’s wife Shelagh, of the events since 2015 and
why the Organisers believe that Ian was a suitable candidate for the
award.
21 June 2015
Ian comes off bike 13 miles from finish. He doesn't really remember
getting back on the bike and his first recollection is 6 miles later
on trying to cycle up the Aigas hill with everyone going faster than
him. He finishes race but crossing the line Calum spots he doesn't
look too great, paramedics immediately check him over - just a sore
neck, not another scratch on him. They don't think it can be too
serious because he managed to cycle so far. As a precaution they
brace his neck and take him to Raigmore.
X-ray and scans shows it's very serious - C1, C2 vertebrae are
shattered and a spinal artery is severed. There's an associated
risk of paralyses or death but surprisingly he still had full
feeling and movement in all limbs. On the plus side the multiple
fractures are proven to be 'stable' because he managed to cycle with
them for 13 miles.
Over the next few weeks he goes from head blocks in Aberdeen Royal
Infirmary to a halo brace making him look like a hat rack but at
least he can move about. The surgery options are a bit risky but
they're the only ones that would provide the support for his active
lifestyle. All along Calum from the Cross was phoning for updates on
Ian's condition. Finally a surgery date is set with a great
neurosurgeon Mr Alakandy at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow.
The surgery goes well and his neck is fastened with 4 bolts and
pins. After 3 months in the halo, he's into a neck collar and 6
weeks after in December he tentatively starts running and goes back
on the Skye Mountain rescue team call out list.
He ran the Skye half marathon in June 2016, only a year after the
accident. Although easily fit enough to do the cross again his
family was not emotionally ready for that!
We had a happy ending, but all that time in hospital you see that
for so many others, many of them young, some with young families, it
is not like that. And even in a case like Ian's, if luck is not on
your side, the outcome can be catastrophic. Good fortune is never to
be taken for granted.
Our own good fortune was entirely due to the highland X paramedics,
staff and surgeons at Raigmore, Aberdeen and Glasgow. To be part of
what must be the most important charity event in the Highlands one
more time is a tribute to the systems, communication and all staff
of the NHS. This, and support from Calum and the Highland Cross
organisers, and all friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues
at Sitekit on Skye made the whole experience very positive! We
cannot thank everyone enough for their support.
Crossroads Care - Skye and Lochalsh
Crossroads Care - Skye and Lochalsh were thrilled with the delivery
and installation of the new signage for their shop in Portree.
Having had temporary signs in place since they moved in, Highland
Cross kindly funded the making and installation of the signs.
Service Manager, Jennifer Millington said “these new signs have
changed everything for us, our shop now looks complete and the bold
and eye-catching signs will encourage more shoppers in, meaning more
funds to allow us to continue to care and support the community of
Skye and Lochalsh".
The signs were
designed by local designer Hugh Campbell which were part of a new
re-branding of Crossroads Care – Skye and Lochalsh, and
includes a new logo which has been incorporated into the new
signage.
The Highland Cross
have also previously donated to the Crossroads Care shop funds for
shop fittings and rails, making it easier for us to display our
wonderful stock, all of which is kindly donated by the local
community to fund care for anyone who needs it in Skye and Lochalsh.

Mrs
Cicely Ross, Cannich
1931 - 2018
It is with deep sadness that The Organising Committee has to inform
the Community of the Cross of the death of Mrs Cicely Ross the
Organiser of the water point at Cannich . Cicely was buried in
her beloved Fasnakyle on Thursday 22nd March and Highland Cross was
represented at her funeral service by Gerry Grant and Calum Munro.
Cicely was the Secretary of the Cannich Community Council when she
heard “two crazy firemen” – her words - explain the idea of the
event that grew into Highland Cross. She immediately
volunteered to organise the water point at Cannich and continued to
undertake this role for thirty years. When she “retired” from the
role she passed it onto her daughter Sheena but Cicely returned
every year to help out or to check that things were being done to
her high standards. Every year she prepared vast quantities of
tablet for the drinks table to give an energy boost to weary
participants and to many regular participants she became known as
“Granny Tablet”. Cicely loved people and this came through in
her tireless work for her Community and in her commitment to
Highland Cross. Without folk like Cicely the Cross would not exist.
The Community of the Cross is diminished by her passing.
A
tribute to Lloyd Arthur
Lloyd
Arthur who died recently aged 75 was an enthusiastic presence in
establishing Highland Cross in its early years. It was typical
of Lloyd that when he spotted the 1983 Midsummer Madathon challenge
on the Raigmore Laboratory notice board, he became one of our first
volunteers as the efficient marshal at the Fasnakyle control point.
Inspired by this experience he went on to lead a very good
fundraising laboratory team (LSD!) in succeeding years before
graduating to be the coordinator for the volunteer units on the foot
section stages; he was also on the organising committee in planning
the successful staging of the annual event for many years.
Throughout his long illness Lloyd maintained a keen interest in “The
Cross” news and in encouraging one of his regular visitors to do
“just one more”; he particularly enjoyed a rare outing to attend an
annual Highland Cross Charity Gift Presentation evening to the
successful major charity beneficiaries that year.
At his Service of Thanksgiving in the Church of Scotland Hilton
Church attended by his family, many of his laboratory colleagues and
friends, tributes were made to his time as the Session Clerk and as
captain of the Boys Brigade there. We were also reminded of his many
other sporting activities in golf, squash, hillwalking etc as well
as his wide range of interests including holiday travel abroad.
Lloyd’s was a life well lived.
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Highland Cross 2016
Yet another record year for Highland Cross fundraising!
The
record figure raised in 2015 from Highland Cross participants was
£261,290 but this has been surpassed by Highland Cross 2016
competitors who have shattered the previous record by raising a
superb total of
£277,189!
This
now means that Highland Cross has raised over £4.4million
over the 34 years of the event.
On
24 November 2016 the 6 principal charities received presentations:
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The
Archie Foundation
received £40,000
to fit out the High Dependency Unit at the
Children’s Unit at Raigmore Hospital making a total of £80,000 given
to the Children’s Unit in recent years by Highland Cross.
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SOAR Youth Projects in Ross-shire
received two specially adapted minibuses.
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Inverness
Voluntary Transport Scheme
received a new vehicle.
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Highland BlindCraft
received a new vehicle for their fundraising workshop and sales
division.
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Blythswood
Care
received a new vehicle for their food bank operation.
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Birchwood Highland
received funding to build a sun lounge for their residential care
facility.
In
addition to the primary causes, the participants’ success will also
allow some smaller grants to be distributed to charities across
Highland over the next month.
The Organisers would once again like to thank competitors, sponsors
and volunteers for their continued support of Highland Cross.
Top Fundraising Teams of 2016
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Raised |
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Team Name |
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Competitor Names |
1 |
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£11,155.43 |
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Surely it will be easier this year? |
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William Gray |
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Richard McGrail |
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Mairi Gilmour |
2 |
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£9,607.35 |
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The
Midlife Crossers |
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Hamish Baillie |
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Thomas Dallmeyer |
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Fredric Maire |
3 |
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£5,130.00 |
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Over the Hill |
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Steven Scott |
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Ryan MacLean |
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Stuart Laurence |
4 |
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£3,383.50 |
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Pony Express (3 Bros) |
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John Dean |
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Sandy Dean |
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Allan Dean |
5 |
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£2,600.00 |
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Spooks @ Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland |
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Maurice Gibson |
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Cameron Gibson |
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Hugh Thomson |
6 |
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£2,489.15 |
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The
Ben 3 |
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Jacqueline Healy |
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Leigh-Ann Kelly |
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Ian
McMahon |
7 |
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£2,360.00 |
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Coast to Coast Busters |
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Derek Dunn |
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Phil Prestridge |
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Ruth Wolfe |
8 |
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£2,140.00 |
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We
said never again |
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Alexandra Reid |
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Adam Streeter-Smith |
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Norman MacDonald |
9 |
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£1,969.12 |
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Cullicudden Colts |
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James MacLean |
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Brian Philip |
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James Garden |
10 |
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£1,880.01 |
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Team GMF |
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Gavin MacDonald |
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Gavin Beaton |
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Scott Murray |
11 |
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£1,802.00 |
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Three Witches of Kintail |
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Elizabeth Christie |
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Fiona Macleod |
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Emily MacDonald |
12 |
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£1,800.00 |
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Star Wheels: The Forks Awaken! |
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Rosie Hague |
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Conor Doherty |
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Graham Wilkinson |
Third Sector Award
Highland Cross was
delighted that the Community of Highland Cross - the supporting
organisations, volunteers and sponsors who actually make the day
happen - was awarded the Community Initiative Award 2016 by the
Highland Third Sector Interface.
The Interface is
the co-ordinating body for charities and social enterprises in
Highland.
The Highland Cross
Organisers assembled a small representative group to go to
Strathpeffer on the 25th August 2016 to collect the Award.
The photograph
shows Drew Hendry MP with: Fiona Kennedy from
Athnamulloch Waterpoint, Elizabeth Christie the Administration
Organiser, James Dunbar OBE the CEO of New Start Highland
representing charities, James Campbell of R & F Campbell Ltd who
leads our haulage fleet, Jonathan Wotherspoon representing
landowners and others who support the route, Keith Pratt our Safety
Net Organiser who also represented the volunteers from Scouting,
Andy Beaton Leader of Dundonell MRT representing all the teams who
support us, James MacKenzie from Beauly Community, Neil Gauld from
PDG Helicopters and Scott Hay from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Graham
MacLean
The sudden death of Graham MacLean after a short illness will come
as a shock to many who knew him as an influential figure in the
first 20 years of Highland Cross.

Graham was a member of the small Fire Brigade group that launched
the Midsummer Madathon in 1983 and in becoming our treasurer until
he retired in 2002. As our “Iron Chancellor” his contribution
and time given to the growing years of “the Cross” was immense,
readily recognised and appreciated by his successor, John Fraser.
Graham played a key role at critical moments for the event; when it
became an “open” event taking the administration into our own homes
(thus saving the public purse) and later when we secured charity
status as a private company. He was also instrumental in
transforming nominated charities from happy recipients to being
actively involved by providing essential manpower to the safety and
welfare network for the event.
At every Highland Cross weekend, his was a large and bantering
presence responsible for the bike loading and entrants’ buses before
working his way from Morvich along the course to overseeing the
finish arrangements in Beauly Square and prize giving. His wife,
Sandra, was ever present at the medal presentation while son Andrew
did sterling work on bike loading duties.
I will remember him as a valued colleague, a good companion on our
Highland Cross journey.
Gerry Grant
Congratulations!
Highland Cross is delighted to send its congratulations to two
charities that are part of our Community for their achievements in
the recently released Care Commission Annual Inspection results.
Crossroads Care Skye and Lochalsh
Crossroads Care Skye and Lochalsh have been awarded the highest
inspection grades for the fifth year running! Crossroads operates as
a respite care service giving vital support to individuals and
families caring for loved ones in their homes. The charity is
led by a small board of local trustees and the Skye and Lochalsh
community are strongly supportive of Crossroads work and fundraising
initiatives. Highland Cross was delighted to part fund the
outfitting of their new shop premises in Portree from the Smaller
Grants Scheme. Profits from the shop help fund the charity’s vital
work.
Volunteers from Crossroads, led by Service Co-ordinator Jenny
Millington, have staffed the water point at Glenlicht House in
previous years. “Lucky 2 be here” another Skye based charity and
another previous beneficiary of the Cross covered the site this
year.
Birchwood Highland
Staff and service users at local mental health charity Birchwood
Highland are celebrating great results from two visits by the Care
Inspectorate, to the Inverness Support Service, the Lochaber Support
Service and the Easter Ross Support Service, the Care Inspectorate
awarded all three services the top rating ‘Excellent’. The
services provide housing support and care at home to individuals
across the region. The same grade was awarded to Birchwood
Highland’s Recovery Centre after another unannounced inspection of
the 23-bedroomed facility in Inverness, where individuals are
supported by a dedicated team of nurses and support workers.
Birchwood Highland are nominated as a major beneficiary from
Highland Cross 2016 and volunteers from the charity were working in
the Finish Area in Beauly Square on the 18th June.
The Community of the Cross – Making the day happen
These two examples show the quality of the causes that Highland
Cross is honoured to support. Volunteers from twenty charities
supported by Highland Cross this year or through previous
fundraising were working to make the day happen and to bring in
essential funds for Highland causes. They were supported by local
communities across the route, individual volunteers from Highland
Cross, its commercial and organisational partners. These wonderful
folk create a unique community of interested people, intent on
generating as much benefit as possible and pushing the £4.1m raised
over the past 33 years yet further.
Founders of Highland Cross honoured
Everyone who is associated with Highland Cross in any way will have
been pleased to hear the news that in Saturday’s Queen’s Birthday
Honours List, Gerry Grant and Calum Munro were awarded MBEs. As
many of you will know, Gerry and Calum were co-founders of Highland
Cross back in 1983 and both have been involved over the 34 years of
running the event. In recent years, Calum has been principal
co-ordinator while Gerry is one of the three independent panellists
who choose the charities to be supported each year.
Each
has given tens of thousands of hours of their time voluntarily over
the period. Many charities, competitors and volunteers have
benefited from their input and are proud to be associated with the
event. Highland Cross would not be in existence without these two
gentlemen coming up with the idea and we congratulate them on
receiving their deserved awards.
J.F.
Highland Children's Unit about to go operational
Calum
Munro represented Highland Cross at the preview of the new Highland
Children's Unit on 25th April. The Unit officially receives patients
on 9th May and a large group of funders and supporters of the
project gathered to be shown round.
The facilities are extremely impressive and look nothing like a
standard NHS facility. Great effort has gone into making them as
child and young person friendly as possible with enhanced facilities
for parents/carers to be with seriously ill children.
The £40,000 of Highland Cross funding from the 2012 event will be
combined with the funds raised this year to pay for the fitting out
of the High Dependency Unit (HDU) a key area of the new Unit. The
attached photograph shows the Nurse's Station in the HDU and gives a
taste of the decoration and quality of finish in the whole unit.
Another wonderful example of what the wonderful folk of the
Community of Highland Cross have achieved for the wider Highland
Community!
Highland
Cross congratulates Calman Trust on their latest venture
Over the years Highland Cross has been proud to support Calman Trust
in their work with Highland young people. Your fund raising has
purchased machines for their work wear enterprise and a refrigerated
vehicle for their outside catering business and they are our
caterers of choice for our annual celebration and gift evening. The
attached link takes you to an article about their latest venture,
running the staff canteen for SSE's HQ in Inverness. Yet
another high quality organisation that forms part of the Community
of Highland Cross!
http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/social-enterprise-to-run-sse-staff-canteen
Angus
MacKenzie OBE, CA
It is with great sadness that I must inform the Community of
Highland Cross of the sudden death of Angus MacKenzie.
Angus came into the Community of Highland Cross through his
involvement with Highland Riding for the Disabled - only one of many
charities that benefitted from his commitment and acumen. With
him he brought his colleagues and staff from his accountancy firm
MacKenzie Kerr and beyond his retirement Angus was a loyal supporter
of the Cross and his colleagues became the very backbone of the
administration and financial aspects of the Cross which they have
remained through the intervening decades. Angus's nephew John
Fraser, our current treasurer, has strengthened the link to the
Cross.
Angus was a keen shooter and for many years combined his duties at
the Start Registration tables with discharging his 12 bore to start
folk on their way.
Angus's funeral was a testament to a life of service to his
community and marked the passing of a man who was the very epitome
of a Highland Gentleman.
Calum Munro, Co Founder and Organising Secretary, Highland Cross
Alex Brett
It is with deep sadness that Highland Cross has to inform its
community of the tragic death of one of our stalwart participants –
Alex Brett from Dingwall. Alex had completed 28 Crosses and
took part as a member of the “The Three Amigos” team. A trio that
had regularly won team prizes over the years. A true Highland
gentleman and committed outdoorsman he died after a fall on Liathach
in the Torridon area.
Calum receives a deserved
award
Everyone
associated with Highland Cross was very pleased to hear that at the
Highland Third Sector Awards 2015 held recently, our Co-founder and
Organising Secretary of Highland Cross, Calum Munro was given an
Outstanding Achievement Award. This award was in recognition of his
outstanding achievements within the Third Sector in Highland and the
positive contribution that he has made to our community. Among other
achievements, this reflects his huge contribution to Highland Cross
over 33 years and how his hard work, his organisation and his
enthusiasm has benefited so many different charitable organisations
within the Highland community.
Calum received a lovely plaque and
scroll which were handed over by Mr John Finnie, MSP.
|
Highland
Cross 2015
Yet another record year for Highland Cross fundraising!
The
record figure raised in 2014 from Highland Cross participants was
£229,788 but this has been surpassed by Highland Cross 2015
competitors who have shattered the previous record by raising a
superb total of
£261,290!
This
now means that Highland Cross has raised over £4,160,000 over
the 33 years of the event.
On
19 November 2015 the 5 principal charities received presentations:
-
Highland
Disability Sport
have received funding for a specially converted vehicle.
-
Highland
Hospice
have received funding to create, for the first time, an en-suite
family bedroom.
-
New
Start Highland
have received funding for a new IT system.
-
Sight
Action
have received funding for a new vehicle to increase accessibility to
their services in rural areas.
-
Watermill
Foundation
have received funding for a vehicle and trailer to support their
Highland wide outreach work to take cycling to children
and adults with disabilities.

Highland Disability Sport
receive their specially converted vehicle.
In
addition to the primary causes, the participants’ success will also
allow some smaller grants to be distributed to charities across
Highland over the next month. The
Organisers would once again like to thank competitors, sponsors and
volunteers for their continued support of Highland Cross.
Top Fundraising Teams of 2015
|
|
Team Amount Raised |
|
Team Name |
|
Competitor Names |
1 |
|
£5,649.07 |
|
Over The Hill |
|
Steven Scott |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Smith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stuart Laurence |
2 |
|
£4,055.00 |
|
Stretched Armstrongs |
|
Colin Armstrong |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iain Leighton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Armstrong |
3 |
|
£3,433.97 |
|
Team Maplin |
|
Trevor White |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colin Rae |
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Kidd |
4 |
|
£2,985.00 |
|
Bring Us Back For Beer |
|
William Gray |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard McGrail |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas Boyle |
5 |
|
£2,870.00 |
|
Affric HBB's |
|
Jamie Freeman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will Matthews |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack Collins |
6 |
|
£2,797.50 |
|
Pony Express |
|
John Dean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Dean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rachel Chalmers |
7 |
|
£2,654.80 |
|
Coast to Coast Busters |
|
Julia Prestridge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derek Dunn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phil Prestridge |
8 |
|
£2,412.16 |
|
Affric Rats |
|
Jonathan Wotherspoon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy Laing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fergus Laing |
9 |
|
£2,390.00 |
|
Stay On Track |
|
Andrew Philips |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martin Patience |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gordon Simpson |
10 |
|
£2,280.58 |
|
The Duich Dreamers |
|
Nicola Forbes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
John MacDonald |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Hunter |
11 |
|
£2,131.35 |
|
Cullicudden Colts |
|
James MacLean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian Philip |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gemma Sutherland |
|
Highland Cross 2014
Highland
Cross breaks the £3.8 million barrier! £229,788 raised this
year! A new fundraising record set!
The
participants in Highland Cross 2014 have done an outstanding job and
raised a magnificent sum for Highland Charities. The record
2014 total of £229,788 means that the cumulative figure for 32 years
of Highland Cross is over £3,898,000.

The principal charities
at the Highland Cross presentation evening.
Image courtesy: Ewen
Weatherspoon Photography
Highland
Cross 2014 took place on Saturday 21 June 2014, the six principal charities
were:
-
Beauly and District Care Project
- received funding for a specially converted vehicle.
-
Leonard Cheshire Disability Inverness
- received £40,000 to create special sensory spaces in
their centre in Inverness.
-
Shopmobility Highland
- received a specially adapted vehicle.
-
Blythswood Care
- received a forklift truck for their food bank operation
in Invergordon.
-
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland - received a vehicle
to support their Highland wide outreach and fundraising work.
-
Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers
- received a minibus to support their work and the work of
Skye YMCA.
In addition
to the primary causes, the participants' success will also allow
some smaller grants to be distributed to charities across Highland.
The
organisers thank competitors, sponsors and volunteers for their
continued support of Highland Cross.

Second placed Gordon
Lennox (left) with Highland Cross 2014 winner Joe Symonds (right)
Top
Fundraising Teams of 2014
Top 10 |
|
Team Amount Raised |
|
Team Name |
|
Competitor Names |
1 |
|
£8,546.45 |
|
The Three Must Get Beers |
|
William Gray |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig Finlay |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard McGrail |
2 |
|
£6,472.50 |
|
Over The Hill |
|
Steven Scott |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Smith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ryan MacLean |
3 |
|
£3,253.33 |
|
Affric Brats |
|
Ross Campbell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Louisa Freeman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rosannagh Hilleary |
4 |
|
£3,036.71 |
|
Slow Motion |
|
Mayrine MacLennan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catriona Campbell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marion Campbell |
5 |
|
£2,955.00 |
|
Pony Express |
|
John Dean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Dean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rachel Chalmers |
6 |
|
£2,909.00 |
|
3 Singles to Beauly |
|
Jennifer Munro |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gillian Calder |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen MacAllister |
7 |
|
£2,839.73 |
|
Lame but Still Game |
|
Jim Muir |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jason Reynolds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roland Waddell |
8 |
|
£2,436.51 |
|
The Affric HBB's |
|
Jamie Freeman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geordie Laing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick Stratton |
9 |
|
£2,400.00 |
|
Alltbeithe There in a While |
|
Colin Larmour |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rory Morrison |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Miller |
10 |
|
£2,280.00 |
|
Redmoss Pacers |
|
Derek Dunn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip Prestridge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Dunn |
|
Highland Cross 2013
The
total amount of money raised by competitors for Highland Cross 2013
is £226,086.
This
brings the total raised over the 31 years of Highland Cross to over
£3,669,000.
On 28
November 2013, the 6 principal charities received presentations:
-
Calman Trust
are receiving a crew cab refrigerated catering support vehicle
for use in their work to train young people towards employment
opportunities
-
Cantraybridge College
received a 4x4 minibus and trailer to support their community
projects and social enterprise work
-
CCAST Highland
received a people carrier vehicle
to enable them to extend their housing support and community
work in Ross-shire and into Sutherland
-
Lucky2BHere
a defibrillators and community
resuscitation training charity based in Skye received £35,000 to
purchase defibrillators and other equipment for communities
across Highland
-
Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool
received £40,000 towards the
provision of a cost effective wood burning heating system for
the pool to improve its long term financial and environmental
sustainability
-
Seaforth House
received £40,000 towards the
provision of cost effective wood burning heating systems for the
respite centre to improve its long term financial and
environmental sustainability
In addition
to the assistance given to the 6 principal charities, nearly £15,000
is currently being distributed to another 6 charities which made applications for grants from the surplus funds available from this
year’s event.
Once again the Organisers wish to thank
most sincerely all competitors, sponsors and volunteers who work
together to make Highland Cross happen.
|
Highland Cross 2012
The total
amount of money raised by competitors for Highland Cross 2012 was
£228,122. This brings the total raised over the 30 years
of Highland Cross to over £3,440,000.
On 6
December 2012, the five principal charities received presentations:
-
The ARCHIE Foundation received a cheque for £40,000 towards
their improvement of the Children’s Ward at Raigmore Hospital.
-
Glenurquhart Care Project received a specially adapted
minibus to support their community work.
-
Highland Hospice received a cheque to fund a vehicle to
support their retail operation.
-
Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Inverness received a cheque for a
specially adapted minibus.
-
Special Needs Action Project (SNAP) based in Inverness
received a specially adapted minibus to support their work with
disabled young people.
At the Presentation, Duncan Chisholm, the renowned fiddler, gave a
live performance of his new tune celebrating Highland Cross – the
tune is called “Running the Cross” and is on his latest album, “Affric”.
In addition to the assistance given to the five principal charities,
over £33,000 is currently being distributed to another 12 charities
which made applications for grants from the surplus funds available
from this year’s event. Once again the Organisers wish to
thank most sincerely all competitors, sponsors and volunteers who
work together to make Highland Cross happen.
|
Highland
Cross 2011
Highland Cross
participants have raised an amazing new record amount of £228,724
from the 2011 event. This brings the total raised over the 29 years
of Highland Cross to over £3,200,000.
On 23 November 2011 the
five principal charities received presentations:
-
Children’s
Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS)
received a specially adapted vehicle to take very ill children
on community outings.
-
Highland
BlindCraft received a
delivery van to support their retail operations.
-
ILM
(Highland) received two
vehicles to support their Handyperson scheme in Sutherland and
Ross & Cromarty.
-
Lochaber
Action on Disability
received a specially adapted minibus to support their community
work.
-
Shirlie
Project received a
complete modernisation of their computer system to support
people with additional needs into work.
In addition to the
assistance given to the five principal charities, the independent
selection panel are currently reviewing the applications from
charities for the surplus funds available from the 2011 event which
amount to £72,000.
The top fundraising team
for 2011 was made up of Alasdair Hilleary, Charlotte Hilleary and
Georgina Norfolk. Together they raised an incredible £13,684!
Once again the
organisers wish to thank most sincerely all competitors, sponsors
and volunteers who work together to make Highland Cross happen.
|
Highland Cross 2010
Highland Cross
participants have raised an amazing new record amount of £196,640
from the 2010 event breaking the previous record by nearly £20,000.
In addition, over £15,500 was also received via gift aid during
2010.
On 17 November 2010 the
following four charities were presented with:
-
Birchwood Highland
received a cheque for £30,000 towards the refurbishment of their
mental health recovery centre.
-
Chest Heart & Stroke
Scotland received a specially adapted minibus to help continue
their support work throughout the North of Scotland.
-
Lochleven Community
Minibus Association received a vehicle to allow them to continue
their work with the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged in
southern Lochaber.
-
Seagull Trust
received a cheque for £40,000 towards the construction of their
new vessel, based in Inverness, to take disabled people on
cruises on the Caledonian Canal.

Libby Waugh (Chest Heart &
Stroke Scotland) sits at the wheel of the new vehicle
handed over by Calum Munro (Highland Cross) at Hawcos
showroom in Inverness. Picture courtesy: N G
Paterson Photography. |
The remaining funds
raised in 2010 have been distributed in smaller
grants to charities across Highland selected by the Highland Cross
Independent Charity Selection Panel.
The top fundraising team for 2010 was again headed up by William
Gray, along with team mates Martin English and Richard McGrail.
Together they raised an incredible £13,738.60! Once again the
organisers wish to thank most sincerely all competitors, sponsors
and volunteers who work together to make Highland Cross such a
success year after year.

Highland Cross handover:
(left) Alec Keith of Seagull Trust (£40,000), John
Palmer of Birchwood Highland (£30,000), Calum Munro and
John Fraser of Highland Cross, Libby Waugh of Chest,
Heart and Stroke (minibus) and Bob Burns of Lochleven
Community Minibus Association (minibus).
Picture courtesy: Gary Anthony SPP Photographer. |
Vehicle Donation
to Partnerships for Wellbeing
Highland Cross
were delighted to see the launch of the new vehicle for the local
patient transport service. Surplus funds from Highland Cross 2010
were used to largely fund the vehicle and its use will be funded by
an agreement with NHS Highland. The service will meet the needs of
patients who have challenges in getting to Doctors' and Hospital
appointments. This vehicle is
the latest of over 40 vehicles that
Highland Cross has helped fund for various causes across the area.
 |
L to R: Ros
Philip, Primary Care Manager, South East Highland CHP, NHS Highland.
Michelle Cowie, Manager,
Partnerships for Wellbeing. Calum Munro, Highland Cross.
John
Fotheringham, Chairman, Partnerships for
Wellbeing. Photograph courtesy of Ewen Weatherspoon/Partnerships for
Wellbeing. |
|
Highland Cross
2009
Participants have raised a
record £176,729 from the 2009 event.
Over £15,000 was also received
via gift aid during 2009. On the 18th November 2009 the
four principal charities were presented with their vehicles, and further
sums were sent out to other charities in response to their
requests for funding for various smaller projects.
The four main charities to benefit were:
-
Highland Disability Sport
-
Merkinch Community Centre
-
Multiple Sclerosis Society - Inverness &
Nairn Branch
-
Skye and Lochalsh Mental Health Association
The top fund-raising team in 2009 was that of
William Gray, Douglas Stewart and Jane Brewster who raised over £7,000.
Once again the organisers wish to thank most
sincerely all competitors, sponsors and volunteers who work together to
achieve this result. |
Highland Cross 2008
£174,213 raised in 2008, another new
fundraising record!
Since 1983, Highland Cross has now raised over
£2.5 million! The 4 main charities to benefit were:
-
Children 1st received £34,000 to
complete their family centre at Killen on the Black Isle.
-
New Start Highland - Tenant Support
Scheme received a vehicle to allow them to move trainees and
materials.
-
Shopmobility Dingwall received a specially adapted minibus to
transport clients wheelchairs.
-
Shopmobility Lochaber received a specially adapted vehicle to
allow them to extend their service into the remote and rural parts of
Lochaber.
14 other charities are currently being issued
with cheques for smaller amounts, totalling over £37,000.
The organisers wish to thank all those who
helped in any way to achieve this record figure.
|
Highland Cross
2007
£173,806 raised by participants this year!
An all time record for Highland Cross!
The participants in Highland Cross 2007 have
done an outstanding fundraising job and broken the previous fundraising
record by over £30,000!
The main charities who all received vehicles to
support their work are:
-
Visual Impairment Services Highland
-
Inverness Handyperson’s Scheme
-
Highland Hospice
-
Ballachulish Abbeyfield Society
The National Trust for Scotland are also
receiving 8 specialist powered scooters to allow disabled people to access
NTS properties in the North of Scotland.
As well as the vehicles and scooters, over
£40,000 is being distributed in smaller grants to various charities across
the North of Scotland.
The organisers once again wish to thank
everyone involved with the event - the competitors, the sponsors and all the
volunteers who came together to make the event happen.
|
Highland Cross 2006
Record fundraising year
for the Highland Cross!
Highland Cross
competitors have raised £141,240, a new record figure. This has
enabled the four principal charities for 2006 to benefit as follows:
-
L'Arche Inverness has
received £33,000 to purchase specialist equipment for their new workshop
facilities.
-
Disability Snowsport has received a
specially adapted minibus.
-
Cameron House are receiving a specially
adapted minibus.
-
Ross-shire Special
Needs Playscheme are receiving a specially adapted minibus.
In addition to the
primary causes, the participants' success will allow a range of other
causes to benefit with donations of smaller sums.
The Organisers wish to
thank everyone involved in making this happen - the competitors, all
those individuals and companies who sponsored them, the volunteers who
turn out each year to help with staging the event and all sponsors and
supporters of the Highland Cross.
|
Highland Cross 2005
Highland Cross breaks the
£2 million barrier!
Over £134,000 raised again
by participants this year!
The participants in
Highland Cross 2005 have done an outstanding fundraising job and once
again raised a tremendous sum for Highland Charities.
-
Eden Court Theatre
received £35,000 to enhance facilities for disabled patrons and
performers
-
Chest Heart and Stroke received £40,000
to expand their Survivors of Stroke service across Highland including
providing a base in Lochaber
-
Shopmobility Highland
received £36,000 to purchase specialist equipment for their outreach
activities.
In addition to the primary
causes, the following charities have also benefited through the donation
of smaller sums:
-
Barnardos’ Springboard
-
Caberfeidh
Horizons
-
Family Mediation
Highland
-
Highland Developmental Co-ordination
Disorder Group
-
Highland Homeless Trust
-
MS Therapy Centre
-
Nairn Sports Medicine
Clinic
-
Partnerships for
Wellbeing
|
Highland Cross 2004
Over £134,000 raised
by participants!
-
Lochaber
Hydrotherapy Pool Appeal have received £45,000.
-
Highland
Heartbeat Appeal have received £45,000.
-
Seaforth
House Respite Centre Vehicle Appeal have received a specially
converted bus to allow the centre to transport patients to events.
In
addition to the primary causes, some of the other charities to benefit
are:
-
Scottish
Society for Autism's Highland Office - £2,500 for audio visual aids for
their outreach work.
-
Uphill
Ski Club - £5,000 to buy special ski sleds for disabled skiers.
-
Age
Concern in Ross-shire - £2,500 to buy exercise equipment for mobility
classes for older people in Ross-shire.
|
|