Lochalsh mother's haircut challenge in of the Highlands' Haven Centre smashes target – with more money still coming in
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A LOCHALSH mum’s hair-raising fundraiser in aid of the Highlands’ Haven Centre has been a roaring success – after her sponsored haircut broke its original goal and money continued to flood in.
Angela Stuart-Gibson is getting behind plans for the multimillion-pound Haven Centre being built in Inverness for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
One of her children, Fergus (11) was diagnosed with autism in 2014 and news of plans for the much-needed centre left Angela in tears of relief.
Angela – who describes herself as the mum of three beautiful children – explained: “Fergus was non-verbal with a few sounds that he used to communicate. Fergus isn’t able to tell us when he is sad or if something is sore which can be very frustrating for him and heart-breaking for us. We have learned what different sounds mean and we are very in tune to his body language to try and figure out what’s up to try and help him.
Related news – Big-hearted Ross-shire mum set to lose her locks to boost coffers of Haven Centre
“Fergus is an energetic happy wee guy who loves Lego and water, he loves going out on the piggyback bike and has his arms stretched out to feel the wind and he loves spending time with his brother and sister on the trampoline. He enjoys making animals out of felt and painting and he takes such joy out of nursery rhymes especially animal ones.
“We love where we live, we feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by supportive neighbours and friends but we have limited places we can go due to Fergus complex needs. Fergus wouldn’t cope with a cafe, restaurant shops due to the noise and sensory overload that these settings come with.”
She said that when she heard about the Elsie Normington Foundation and the plan to build a centre for children and young adults with severe, profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex needs in the Highlands and islands: “I cried and felt this enormous relief that at long last we as a family will have somewhere to go.
“Fergus will be able to go and discover new experiences and be accepted.”
And her decision to have her long hair cut off to help raise funds for the centre was a huge success.
Around 45 people turned up to the event last weekend.
Angela added: “We raised £1037.78 on the night and my just giving page is sitting at £2485 with more donations coming in. I can’t emphasise the support that came from such a small village.”
She also thanked the many businesses and organisations which had donated to the fundraising raffle, as well as those who volunteered to make the event such a success.
To sponsor Angela’s effort and boost the total further visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ANGELA-STUART-GIBSON
