Children’s charity lights up Inverness

The spectacular sight of more than 100 Chinese lanterns floating across the skies of Inverness will mark a night to remember on Sunday 22 November - and help raise vital funds for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

The children’s charity are predicting hundreds of pounds will be raised from the sale of the lanterns with further donations anticipated from generous families out to watch the display.  Organised by

The Highland Council as part of the Inverness Winter Festival, this event is the first of its kind for Inverness and it is hoped to make it an annual part of the Highland Capital’s Christmas celebrations.

100 lanterns will be released into the skies from the grounds of Inverness Castle at 5 pm. From 6pm, Deputy Provost Peter Corbett will be joined by Santa, members of the cast of the Eden Court Pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk and local children to switch on the Christmas Lights on the steps of Inverness Town House. This will be followed by a parade to the Old High Church for Ding Dong Merrily Old High, a candlelit carol service featuring the award-winning Inverness Gaelic Choir.

The Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a Scottish charity that provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

A children’s hospice offers professional care, practical help and emotional support to the whole family usually from the day of acceptance, to the death of their child, and beyond.

Rachel House in Kinross, Scotland’s first children’s hospice, opened in March 1996. Robin House in Balloch opened in August 2005. Both hospices are purpose-built and each can provide ongoing support for up to 200 families across Scotland each year. The CHAS at Home Team offers support to families referred to the hospices by providing a care service to families in their own homes when they need it most.

Visit CHAS at www.chas.org.uk