The 20-year anniversary of the opening of the Highland Hospice in Inverness is being marked with a grand auction.

Staff and volunteers hope to raise up to £125,000 for the centre, which provides specialist palliative care for the terminally ill.

The hospice currently receives 38% of its budget from NHS Highland but has annual operating costs of about £3.4m.

Dozens of lots, including a new car and trip to Paris will be auctioned. Bids can also be submitted online.

Maria McGill, chief executive of the Highland Hospice, said she was optimistic about achieving the £125,000 target.

She said: “We are hopeful with the massive amount of lots that we have and the generosity and support from the Highland community, that we will achieve that.

“In terms of costs for the hospice, this year its going to cost over £3.4m to keep things going, and whilst we have a generous grant from NHS Highland of over 38% of our total cost, that still leaves over 60% of the cost to come from our local communities.”

Lots for the auction will also include a fully restored 1965 Ford Corsair, a collection of 1,100 jazz and big band albums and training as a medieval knight for a battle re-enactment by the Saltire Society.

The auction will take place in the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Saturday.

Share This Article by Email or Social Web

Posted: 09|8|07 at 7:59 am. Filed under: Auction News.