Inverness businessman helps old school to switch lights back on
Inverness businessman David Sutherland has been given top marks for donating £12,500 to help switch the lights back on at his old school.
The former pupil of Inverness Royal Academy has handed over the cash to help pay for a new feature lighting system in the main hall at the new Inverness Creative Academy.
It represents 50 per cent of a fundraising campaign, Shine A Light on Creativity in the Highlands, run by Wasps, the charity which now owns the former B-listed school building at Midmills. It aims to hit the £25,000 target by June 7.
Mr Sutherland was 12 when he started at the academy and spent six years there, first with D J Macdonald as head teacher and then W S Macdonald before he went to Glasgow to study accountancy.
"I have happy memories of classes at Midmills and the friends I made there, and it remains a beautiful building so it’s great to see its refurbishment nearing completion," Mr Sutherland said.
"When I learned of the crowdfunding appeal, I was keen to help.
"The hall I attended so often for assembly is a stunning space and the new high-tech lighting will make it even more appealing and a spectacular focal point.
"I’m extremely pleased that Midmills will have a new working life thanks to Wasps’ successful policy of converting historic buildings to become artists’ studios."
Wasps chief executive Audrey Carlin was delighted by the "extremely generous contribution".
"The creative academy will become a hub for the art and craftsmanship communities of the Highlands," she said.
"The state-of-the-art lighting system would be a key feature and David’s intervention narrows the cash gap significantly.
"We’d hoped that people who admired or attended Midmills would help us reach our goal and it’s ideal that David, as a schoolboy who has enjoyed a successful business career, is able to help the cause.
"There’s still time for other ex-pupils to make a donation to get us over the line."
Mr Sutherland was awarded a CBE for his services to charitable causes and the construction industry.
The fundraising campaign is being run in association with Art Happens, a crowdfunding platform run by Art Fund, and can be found at Illuminate-creativity-in-the-Highlands.
Related story: Fundraising campaign launched to switch lights back on
