On Saturday 27th November 2021, Dingwall Mart will generously host ‘The Big Highland Auction’ in support of two much-loved local charities, Maggie’s Highland and Highland Hospice. While the effects of Covid-19 are continuing to limit both charities’ abilities to run their usual fundraising events, the demand for their services has never been greater.
With a target of £125,000 to raise, split equally between the benefiting charities, the auction organisers are looking for as many local people, businesses and organisations as possible to offer their support. Every penny raised will stay in the Highlands supporting the delivery of care by each charity.
Sponsored by MacGregor Industrial Supplies, the event has an organising committee who have launched an appeal for support by asking people to donate items, goods or services. The auction aims to cater for all tastes with items including farming, art, food and drink. Any offer of trade services on the day would be hugely appreciated also.
David O’ Conner QPM, Chairman, The Big Charity Auction in aid of Maggie’s Highland and Highland Hospice said,
“Both of these charities play a vital role in supporting our communities and none of us need to look too far to know a friend, family member or colleague who has been supported by their services. Throughout the pandemic charities have continued to be there to serve our communities when they needed them and I felt it was a great time to come together and give something back.
The charities can’t run their usual fundraising events so this is a wonderful way to step up and support them however you can. Whether this is by donating an auction prize or coming along on the day, every single penny makes all the difference. Setting a target of £125,000 is no mean feat, but one thing I know about the Highlands & Islands is that their support and generosity always shines through”
Highland Hospice Fundraiser Emma Nicol added,
“We are thrilled to be chosen by David as a benefitting charity alongside Maggie’s Highlands, and the excitement to see all the varied auction lots come in from across the Highlands and Islands is already building. This is such a special fundraising event where two charities can come together to raise income which will be spent caring for our Highland communities.”
Fundraising Manager for Maggie’s Highlands Andrew Benjamin continued,
“I’m delighted that these two incredible charities are able to unite together in this fundraising event to raise much needed funds and spread the awareness of the work and support offered by them both.”
To pledge your support to the auction and support Maggies Highlands and Highland Hospice: Monetary donation page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HighlandAuction
Email contact: David.OConnor@rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk
Facebook – ‘The Big Highland Auction’ or website http://www.highlandhospice.org/GHAuction
Or you can drop your auction items into The Dingwall Auction Mart along with your full details. Any support will be gratefully received by both charities.
About Highland Hospice
When faced with life shortening illness, death and bereavement, the people of the Highlands deserve the best possible care and support. At Highland Hospice our ambition is to ensure they receive this.
As well as providing our direct services, we want to serve care professionals and informal carers in the Highland community by sharing knowledge and resources so they can provide the best care they can.
Our Inpatient Unit and Day Therapy Centres offer specialist support to patients with an advancing, life shortening illness. By managing their pain and other physical symptoms, we help make time and space for reflection, for gaining perspective and for achieving a measure of calm and tranquillity. Crucially, our team also offers advice with the emotional, social and spiritual issues that may arise and works with patients, families and carers at a time of transition to help them enjoy, value and
commemorate life.
Through our adult and child bereavement services and by working in partnership with others we aim to ensure support is available for all those in the Highlands living with grief, regardless of age or location.
By attending different sites and offering support, mentoring and learning our specialist staff are able to deliver and share our skills in local hospitals and care homes, and in people’s homes, helping people to be provided with respect, dignity and choice during their declining health. To extend the work and reach of the Hospice across the Highlands we want to work in partnership to enable communities to come together to harness their compassion to support each other at the end of life.
Our volunteers and those of our partner organisations offer volunteer befriending services providing practical support to those living at home, helping to reduce social isolation and offering carers a break. We work with key individuals and groups, and engage with them and other stakeholders to co-design community-led solutions to deliver and support health and social care services that meet the specific needs of that community.
Highland Hospice is committed to the principles of equality and diversity and our services are offered free of charge to all those in the Highlands who need them. We are an independent local charity reliant on our community and your contribution of time or money, as a volunteer or donor, can make a meaningful difference to people when they need it most.
Please support your Highland Hospice.
About Maggie’s Highlands
Maggie’s Highlands provides free practical, emotional and social support for people living with cancer and their family and friends across the whole of the Highlands and Islands. Maggie’s offers a programme of support that has been shown to strengthen physical and emotional well being.
Built in the grounds of Raigmore Hospital, the centre is a warm and welcoming place with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need to find their way through cancer.
Maggie’s Highlands celebrates its 15th birthday this year, having helped over 95,000 visitors dealing with Cancer since opening in 2005.
This year the Highlands centre expects to support around 15,000 people from across the Highlands & Islands who need the support and services that Maggie’s offers. Maggie’s Highlands cost £500,000 a year to run and relies solely on voluntary donations to deliver its incredible, high quality and unique programme of support.
We are continuing to support people living with cancer at this really difficult time, only as of now we are only doing so via telephone, email and our online community. We have been supporting people with cancer for 25 years and people need our support now more than ever.
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