Meal fit for a pandemic heroes delivered to worthy winners; Ross-shire stars who have risen to virus challenge amongst those acknowledged
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Ten heroes of the coronavirus pandemic have received a special home delivery of a three-course gourmet meal courtesy of an Inverness hotel.
The Kingsmills invited nominations for people to receive the special treat in recognition of their efforts.
Following an overwhelming response, the hotel chose the winners from a broad range of sectors including the NHS, retail, volunteers, an air ambulance pilot and a headteacher.
Operations director Craig Ewan said it was the idea of hotel owner Tony Story, who wanted to do something to recognise the area’s local heroes.
"It was really heartwarming," he said. "It was such a positive thing."
He also thanked everyone who had nominated their heroes.
"We were so bowled over by some of the stories and the enormous acts of kindness demonstrated by our heroes," he said.
"We were truly humbled and so very grateful for all that they do during these difficult times."
The oven-ready meals were created by executive chef Geoff Malmedy and delivered pre-prepared with cooking instructions.
The menu, which had vegan and gluten-free options, included oak-smoked salmon and seaweed presse, or cucumber pickled ginger and seaweed presse, slow-cooked feather blade of Scottish beef, or baked portobello mushroom risotto gateau, followed by pineapple and rosemary tarte tatin for dessert.
The winners' testimonials:
Andrea Jack, Boots Chemist, Fortrose:
Andrea Jack is always doing things for others in the community and is also working on the front line in Boots the Pharmacy, providing everyone with their prescriptions through these unsettling times. Andrea always puts others before herself and I would love for her to win.
Gary Mitchell, NHS:
Gary drives the ambulances and has worked tirelessly through the pandemic. Always cheery and kind, although possibly worries himself, he puts his commitment to his job first. I'd love for his work to be recognised.
Doreen Sinclair, Highland Council:
Doreen has had two rubbish years with family bereavements and then started fostering again. She has had two boys under seven years for almost two years, keeping them safe, happy, healthy, and entertained 24/7, despite being in her 60s and managing to fundraise for Children's Hospices Across Scotland in memory of her 15-year-old daughter.
Kerry Gray, NHS Highland community nurse:
Kerry worked part time as being at home for her two children was of the highest priority to her.
Once the pandemic started, she didn't hesitate to put herself forward to begin working five, six, seven days a week. She has given so much more this last year to those in the community to the point she has been mentally and physically spent but just keeps on going.
Captain Shaun Rose, air ambulance pilot:
The pilots have to go our daily in all weather and are often forgotten about when doing lifesaving missions. They called to the most poorly of patients. They are not trained to see this like medical professionals. Yet they are there every day for us.
Susan White, Befrienders Highland:
Prior to the pandemic, Susan worked tirelessly for people in isolation.
She has done everything to support her team, who have had to work remotely whilst coping with the increased demand for the service which has been stressful for them all.
She has made sure that everyone around her including her friends, neighbours and anyone affected are looked after, supported, checked in on and made to feel so special and not alone.
Ruth Macdonald, NHS Highland Social Work:
Ruth is amazing. She is a lead social worker and has worked tirelessly through the pandemic with some heartbreaking situation which she deals with calmly, professionally and with care of an angel
She is there for her young family and friends always and she deserves a treat.
Amanda Nutt, CCAST Highland:
This lady and her husband, with a small team, run the local food bank.
They have worked throughout the entire lockdown from March 2020 to give those in need food boxes. They don't just make these boxes up but they deliver them too. Come rain or shine, or even through a pandemic, they ensure families are being fed.
Shona Patience, Tesco/Maggie's Highland:
Shona is the community liaison associate for the Tesco store at Inshes and is constantly going above and beyond for so many great causes.
Her recent initiative has been a pandemic food bank. Shona is also a volunteer for Maggie's Highland.
Jillian Kean, headteacher, Merkinch Primary School:
What Jillian does for the school and the community is incredible and her work throughout the pandemic has been tireless.
They also have their lovely new school that they so well deserved but have never been able to show it off and have a full term experiencing it.
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