A Highland coach firm has got the New Year off to a flying start for the Archie Highland Foundation after presenting them with a £4,000 cheque to assist their work in the children’s unit at the north’s busiest hospital.
D&E Coaches provided the Raigmore ward with the funds as they celebrated in style at Eden Court with the stars of the Beauty and the Beast pantomime.
D&E Coaches sponsored the event, which ran throughout December and the early parts of January, with around 35,000 people estimated to have travelled from right across the Highlands to attend the panto.
Ticket sales for the event were on track in the early days to make the panto season one of the bestselling yet.
Donald Mathieson, managing director of D&E Coaches, said: ”We have backed Archie Highland in recent years and gave them £4,000 last year so we’re more than happy to help again.”
The private hire operator also assisted by taking panto stars to meet the children at Raigmore’s children’s unit during the shows running, spreading fun and cheer.
Mary Nimmo, chairwoman of Archie Highland, said: ”It’s excellent that such a well-known local employer is again showing such commitment to our cause.”
The show was directed by Steven Wren, who also starred as dame Fanny McKlinkie, with stars Christie Gowans and Chris O’Mara playing bookworm Belle and her unrequited love interest Balloch Bennochy.
