Highlands and Islands MSPs don festive attire for the Haven Appeal
LABOUR politicians Rhoda Grant and David Stewart donned sparkly spectacles and Christmas jumpers in support of an ambitious appeal to develop a pioneering centre for children and young people with severe and complex needs.
The two Highlands and Islands MSPs and their staff raised £150 for the Haven Appeal which hopes to build the centre at a site in Smithton.
Mrs Grant recently appeared in a one-minute video to champion the cause.
“We had some good fun in aid of the Haven Appeal,” she said.
“This facility will transform the lives of children and young people with severe learning disabilities and their families in the Highlands and Islands.”
David Stewart recently attended a cross-party meeting in the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness of the appeal.
“We were delighted to do our bit in the office to support the Elsie Normington Foundation’s £4 million appeal to build the Haven Centre in Inverness,” he said.
“This multi-purpose facility will have respite facilities, a play area, supported housing and a garden and will be life-changing for children and young people with severe learning disabilities.
“We all want to see this built as quickly as possible.”
The appealwas launched by the Elsie Normington Foundation and is supported by the Inverness Courier.
The total raised so far is about £1.3 million.
The centre will transform a derelict site which was previously occupied by the Culloden Court Nursing Home until it was destroyed by a fire in October 2010. It will also feature a community café.
The appeal has a crowdfunding page at www.gofundme.com/the-haven-appeal. For more information go to www.havenappeal.org.uk.
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