PICTURES: Haven Centre Highland Hooley hauls in £50K for trailblazing facility for young people with learning disabilities
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AN EVENING of reels and jigs has raised a phenomenal £50,000 for a specialist centre being built in Inverness for young people with profound learning disabilities and complex needs.
The inaugural Haven Centre Highland Hooley, held at the Drumossie Hotel, also featured a silent auction and a Kit Out Our Cafe wish list of items from spoons to fridges which sold out.
The Haven Centre, which will be the first of its type in Scotland when it opens next spring, will comprise three two-bedroom respite flats for young adults up to the age of 30, an indoor specialist play centre with childcare facilities, meeting spaces, outdoor garden and community cafe.
The project is being led by the Elsie Normington Foundation.
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Chairwoman Elsie Normington was delighted by the amount raised at the hooley, saying it would be a tremendous help as they moved ever closer to making the Haven Centre a reality.
“My grateful thanks goes to our most generous title sponsor, Highland Industrial Supplies, and to each and everyone who supported this event from buying a ticket to donating raffle prizes and on the night and bidding for auction items – we are truly humbled by such an amazing amount of support for this very worthy cause,” she said.
Rona Matheson, community fundraiser for the foundation. said the Highland community was so very generous.
“This amount raised at our inaugural Highland Hooley event has shown us the great and fantastic support we have and motivates us as a team to complete the task to build a specialist centre here in the Highlands for our children with complex disabilities,” she said.
The evening, hosted by Nicky Marr, featured piping by Ali MacQuarrie, a member of Cala, and music by the Roya Maclean Band.
In addition to Highland Industrial Supplies, many local businesses and individuals supported the event.
The evening featured interviews with key figures involved with the project including Dawn Walker, chief executive of SNAP, Glenn Harrold, of Key Community Supports, Garry Mackintosh, director of Highland Industrial Supplies, Thom Macleod, managing director of Compass Building and Construction Services, fundraiser Rona Matheson and Julie Flett, mother to Ryan who will use the centre.
The Elsie Normington Foundation reached its fundraising target of £4 million in April 2021 but fundraising continues with the aim of enhancing services and expanding the opportunities which will be created by the Haven Centre.
