Highland Hospice volunteer and Great Wilderness Challenge creator receives British Empire Medal
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Pat Ross received her British Empire Medal (BEM) from Lord-Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford.
Pat received the award in the late Queen's Birthday Honours announced earlier this year.
It came in recognition of her charity work.
Hailed as an inspirational, devoted volunteer and fundraiser for the hospice movement both in the Highlands and the UK she, alongside a group of friends, formed a committee to raise funds for the building of Highland Hospice in Inverness.
As a result, the Great Wilderness Challenge was born, a sponsored race over the rugged, isolated Fisherfield Forest.
The challenge consists of a number of physically demanding walks and was very successful in its first year, raising over £6000.
Its popularity has since grown, and it now attracts over 500 competitors from all over the world.
Pat, from Achnasheen, has held the role of the event’s secretary and a trustee since its inception in 2004 and her work has resulted in excess of £4 million being distributed to Scottish charities, with Highland Hospice being the main beneficiary.
During Covid-19, the event moved to a virtual format, ensuring the charitable fundraising continued.
In 2005 she committed to volunteering twice a week with the Hospice in Inverness.
Her contribution was recognised in 2019 when she was selected from the 100,000 volunteers of the Hospice UK organisation and was awarded the Hospice UK volunteer of the year prize.
Pictures of the award presentation were posted on the Highland Hospice and Great Wilderness Challenge Facebook pages, attracting hundreds of message of congratulation for the selfless volunteer.
Shona Ross said: "Congratulations Pat – so very well deserved along with all the help you’ve given to very many people within the community."
And Janet Cross said: "So chuffed that all your hard work and dedication has been recognised in this very special way!! You are one very special lady who helped me out so may times when I worked at the Hospice xxx"
Fiona Mackintosh said: "Great to see someone behind the scenes getting recognition, congratulations."
