Skye charity dinner raises more than £3,000
A CONVERSATION between two Isle of Skye friends has led to more than £3,000 being raised for The Highlands Support Refugees.
Gwen Culbertson and Angela MacGillivray organised a fundraising event after the pair were moved by the plight of refugees in Syria and across Europe.
Having supported a collection for The Highlands Support Refugees organised by Sleat Primary School last year, the friends decided they wanted to do more.
Tickets were sold for a Middle Eastern inspired dinner at An Crubh in Sleat, with catering provided by Croft No 8 caterers. The event was supported by local businesses and individuals including Cuillin Brewery, Flòraidh, Isle of Skye Candles, Isle of Skye Chocolate, Kinloch Lodge, Lenz Ceramics, Love Skye Photography, Lusach – the Gaelic Gins, PrabannaLinne, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, SEALL, South Skye Cycles and Williamson of Inverness.
Guests were shown powerful images of the voluntary work The Highlands Support Refugees undertakes and Sleat resident Andy Neison talked about his experiences working as a dentist in refugee camps abroad. Entertainment was provided by local musicians Hector MacInnes, Rick Taylor and Simon Larson.
A raffle for a night’s stay in Kinloch Lodge Hotel raised £1,000, with the lucky winner, Mairi MacLeman of Fortrose, announced on the night. There were plenty more great raffle prizes and a silent auction of giveaways from local businesses.
The girls hope to raise £4,000, so a large container can be dispatched to Greece.
Gwen and Angela said: ‘We were overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who attended and supported the event. We would love to see a container shipped to Europe. This is a cause we feel strongly about and we hope other communities across the Highlands and islands will support this fantastic charity.’
If you would like more information or would like to get involved visit www.thehighlandssupportrefugees.com or email: sleatfugees@gmail.com