A group of Highland Hospice fundraisers grasped an opportunity to raise funds for the charity when a shop unit became available in Beauly, raising an impressive total of over £2,300 for the charity.

The Aird Area Fundraising Group established the Beauly Arts & Crafts Pop Up Shop which remained open from Friday 29th April until Sunday 15th May.
During this time the shop sold paintings, pottery, jewellery and other bits of craft work created by local artists.

Total sales and donations to the shop amounted to £3,702, with £1,400 paid to artists and craftsmen whose work was being sold on their behalf.  This still gave the hospice a clear £2,300, with more funds still trickling in from pieces which were sold since the shop closed.

Highland Hospice Trading Company Manager Marie-Anne Vrac said, “We are so grateful to our Aird group for this incredible achievement. Their loyalty and commitment to fundraising for the hospice is remarkable, and not only did they come up with this great idea, they also got the shop ready and open in only 2 days.”
“On behalf of the hospice, I would also like to say a big thank you to Duncan Fraser and Douglas Hardie, the owner and manager of Bridgend Filling Station who gave the ladies use of the empty retail unit adjoining to the filling station free of charge. Without their help none of this would have been possible.”

Highland Hospice is currently running its Project Build Appeal, with £750,000 still needed to hit its £4.5 million target – as well as the everyday costs needed to keep the hospice services running from temporary bases in Invergordon and Cradlehall.

Pictured are Aird Group fundraisers (L-R) Liz Hoey, Averil Lockhart and Shona Fraser.