PICTURES: Inspiring Catwalk for Cause raises thousands for Highland Hospice
The return of a fabulous fashion event raised thousands of pounds for good causes, filling organisers with pride and surpassing their wildest dreams of how successful it could be.
Catwalk for a Cause is the brainchild of Alison McRitchie, owner of the Head Gardener hair salon in Inverness city centre.
Powered by her own experience of cancer she spearheaded the event which saw a range of inspirational models taking to the catwalk at Drumossie Hotel, showing off a range of fashions drawn directly from the shelves of Highland Hospice charity shops.
Each model had their own personal experience of cancer which they shared with the audience of 350 too.
As the Courier reported earlier this week £74,000 was raised, to be divided between Highland Hospice and the End of Life Care Together partnership – which includes organisations across voluntary, health and social care sectors including the hospice, NHS Highland, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Relief.
Alison was overwhelmed with the success of the evening – and the generosity of attendees and those who donated a range of fantastic prizes for a grand auction on the night including former Masterchef finalist Sarah Rankin whose private dining experience sold for £5000.
"Our models were so nervous at rehearsals in the afternoon, but my goodness they let their hair down at night!" she added. "They were incredible!
"And the hospice shop stylists had dressed them so well – I think most folk couldn’t believe the items were from charity shops! It was great to promote sustainable fashion, and they all looked stunning.
"The support and camaraderie between them all was superb as well – some real bonds for life were created."
Guest speakers for the night were Steve Bland and Lauren Mahon of the renowned You, Me and the Big C podcast, and while Steve had visited before – when the event was held previously in 2020 – it was a whole new experience for Lauren.
"Steve always cracks me up when he says each time ‘you lot are not normal’, ‘this is not normal’ because he arrives and is treated immediately like he is family," Alison said. "Lauren understands now what he means and she posted on Instagram that it was the best charity event by far she has ever attended – echoed by Steve in 2020 and again this time. They have already said to include them in next year's event.
"I would also like to thank Nicola McAlley for hosting such an emotionally charged night and to all the models, and everyone who was involved in making the event such a special night – one of many more to come."
Head of income and development at Highland Hospice, Andrew Leaver, said: “Catwalk for a Cause was a truly amazing event, in so many ways.
"To have brought in £74,000 is tremendous, and testament to the hard work put in behind the scenes, but hearing the heart-wrenching stories of the models, shared with emotion and humour in equal measure, was simply inspiring.
“I’d like to offer huge thanks to Alison McRitchie for her continued support of Highland Hospice and for sharing her own experience of cancer with such a wide audience. She truly is a star and we can’t thank her enough for the incredible amount she does for us.”
“I was filled with pride seeing the brave individuals who had shared their stories showcase items from Highland Hospice’s boutiques.
"Many attendees, including host Nicola McAlley, also donned stunning items from our shops, demonstrating the quality we have on offer.”
