Inverness Catwalk for a Cause event aims to inspire

Every year the Catwalk for a Cause fashion show acts as a brilliant fundraiser for Highland Hospice as well as giving a platform for those who have experienced - or are still going through - the cancer journey, whether as sufferers themselves or as friends or family of those who have endured it.

Spearheaded by owner of Inverness salon The Head Gardener, Alison McRitchie, it’s a night of tears but also hope as those at the sharp end get to shine as models for a night while also sharing their moving and inspiring stories. This year will be no exception as 12 amateur models get ready to strut their stuff.

Here we meet three more of those taking part in the 2025 event.

David Fisher (39), from Inverness, is a hair stylist at The Head Gardener, the city salon owned by Catwalk for a Cause driving force Alison McRitchie, so was very much in the know about the event before getting involved.

Nevertheless, like all other participants, he has very personal reasons for wanting to get involved this time around, in particular as a means of paying back to Highland Hospice for all the support it provided him and those close to him at a crucial time.

“In July last year my own mum passed away at the hospice,” he said.

“From the minute we entered the hospice, the staff couldn’t have done more to support us all - it’s immeasurable what they did for us a family and I wanted to help in any way I could.

“I am honoured and privileged to be walking the catwalk in memory of my mum.”

Helen Grainger (58) from Inverfarigaig spends her working life between jobs in the NHS and as a florist.

A widow and mother to adult children Hannah (32) and Emily (29) she was diagnosed in 2018 with fast growing stage one breast cancer which was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“I went from being a reasonably fit lady to being quite unwell in a very short space of time,” she said.

“It has a real impact on your life.

“I have thankfully had five years of all-clear now, but it’s always there in the back of your mind - ‘what if it comes back?’

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“It has certainly made me look at life very differently - you really have to live your life while you have it, you have to grab opportunities that come your way.”

And she added of talking part in Catwalk for a Cause: “It’s about showing people I consider myself to be one lucky lady!

“I have lost a couple of friends to breast cancer but I do want to show people, particularly other women, that there is a life after a cancer diagnosis.

“Hopefully taking part in Catwalk for a Cause will allow me to tell that side of things and inspire others - as well as helping raise some money at a fun evening!”

Nothing is going to stop Anna Robertson from taking part in this year’s Catwalk for a Cause, not even her own insecurities.

The 43-year-old from Inverness who works as a research data manager for NHS Cancer Trials can’t wait to get going.

Married to Bruce (46) and mother to Natasha (24) she said: “I think it’s an amazing cause and a wonderful way to empower people who have been impacted by cancer.

“I’ve worked really hard to regain my body confidence post surgeries and I think this is a big challenge - however I love pushing my comfort zone, so what better way?!

“I still have moments of insecurity but then I remind myself that I felt like that before cancer too so refuse to let it stop me.”

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