Caithness woman dedicates Highland Heroes award win to late best friend
A CAITHNESS woman won Fundraiser of the Year at Highland Heroes for her project in tribute to her late best friend, Julie.
After the loss of her close friend Julie McGee in 2021, Mairi Anne Cormack and the John O’Groats community was inspired to help raise funds for a local playpark in Julie’s memory.
Taking the lead on fundraising, Mairi Anne organised regular swap shop, raffles, quiz nights, pudding nights and sponsored events like the Aberdeen Beast Race.
Over the past three years, the effort has raised a staggering £107,000! Fundraising will continue until the target of £376,000 required to build the playpark is reached.
It is hoped the sum will be achieved this year with help from grants.
Upon winning the award at Highland Heroes, Mairi Anne said: “I’m totally overwhelmed, I actually can’t believe it — we’re doing it for Julie.
“My friend Julie passed away suddenly, and she was a big member of the community. So we thought we will do something in memory of her — at first we thought of a memorial bench, then of a playpark in John O’Groats… now it’s turned into a half-a-million-pound playpark project!
“I’m so delighted to have won the award, and delighted for my community — they wanted it so much for me. It just shows that we’re on the map, and just doing this in Julie’s memory.”
