Highland nurses donate party cash as Covid-19 ruins their graduation
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LESS privileged children and families are to benefit this Christmas thanks to the generosity of newly graduated nurses who had their celebration ball cancelled by Covid-19.
After gaining their BSC in nursing from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), the students were set to graduate on November 3 then later enjoy a grand ball in the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, to celebrate their achievement.
Then Covid stepped in and the nurses' graduation ceremony and the big night was put off.
The nurses decided that some good should be salvaged from what was a difficult year due to Covid, and put their party deposit money to a good cause.
Now the Cash for Kids charity that helps families in need across the Highlands, will benefit to the tune of £1500.
Dozens students from the Highlands and Western Isles were due to attend the ball.
Nurse Katie Moneagle (35) from Kingussie, said they had all endured a difficult year before they reached the conclusion of their nursing degree.
She said all classes were cancelled from March and they were given the option of going on an extended placement or take a year out and not graduate this year at all.
All of her cohort opted in for the extended placement for up to six months. She said: “We didn’t get to graduate at all really. We had to graduate in absentia.”
Ms Moneagle, who now works in Inverness, said they all have had a rotten year but they all agreed it would be good to give something to those who need some help at this time of year.
The 35-year-old, who now works within the Inverness community, said they hope their donation will help bring joy to those following a tumultuous year.
She added: “We have all had a rotten year and Christmas isn’t going to be the same for any of us so it was just a thought to try and help local kids have a nice Christmas or a bit of a better Christmas.
“With us all being in the jobs that we are, we are seeing people who are struggling on a daily basis.
“It was important to us as a whole cohort and as a group that we could give something back to someone and make it a bit of a better year.”
