Last night (Thur, 24th Nov 2022) Leigh-Ann and Jenni attended the Highland Cross prize giving event hosted by John Hawco at the VW Hawco showroom in Inverness.
This was the first prize giving event in three years following Covid related cancellations to the Cross in 2020 and 2021 and it was a chance to reflect, celebrate and give thanks to the countless volunteers, participants and supporters that has made the event a success year-on-year since it began in 1983.
An incredible £268,907 was raised by competitors taking part in the event on 18th June 2022. This brings the total fundraising over the 38 years of the Cross to over £5.5 million. Every penny of which has been distributed to charities across the region to support local people.
When you work with the Highland Cross, Calum Munro (co-founder of the Cross) and the wider team refer to you as being part of the Highland Cross family – never has that been more apparent and true than in the last three years. As we all faced the financial battles and uncertainty that the Covid pandemic presented, The Oxygen Works were also hit with a devastating flood. In keeping with the ethos of being one family, one of the earliest calls following the flood come in from Calum at the Highland Cross.
The Oxygen Works initially applied to the Cross in 2019 with a request for support towards oxygen generation equipment. However, due to the impact of the pandemic and Brexit the options presented in 2022 for equivalent equipment was significantly constrained. With concerns around the quality and sustainability of the post-Covid options the Cross were once again willing to show their continued support and consider a change to our funding bid.
The result of which has been approval from the Trustees of the Highland Cross and last night we were awarded with a cheque for £58,730 to purchase an anti-gravity treadmill.
Suitable for use by people of all ages and varying abilities, the the anti-gravity treadmill will revolutionise rehabilitation and recovery services in our region through our accessible gym at our Inverness centre. Found in only 4,000 facilities around the world and only four, (we believe) in Scotland, this equipment offers solutions to getting individuals back on their feet and walking once more, in an environment that is safe both for the client and the therapist.
We expect the Alter-G anti gravity treadmill to be installed by the end of November and available for use before the end of the year. You can see more about the Alter-G treadmill on our UK suppliers website.
On behalf of everyone at The Oxygen Works, all of the benefitting charities from 2022 and before and the community of the Highlands generally, we offer our sincere thanks to everyone at the Highland Cross – you have changed and improved countless lives in the North of Scotland with your tenacity, kindness and generosity.
