Spotlight Sunday

Ronald McDonald House Charity is an independent charity providing free 'home away from home' accommodation for families with children in hospital. 

We’ll soon be sharing details of our upcoming skydive fundraising event in support of this fantastic charity

More information coming very soon - so keep your eyes peeled and help us support a cause that truly keeps families close when it matters most.

rmhc.org.uk 

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This week, we’re shining a light on Love from, Amelia -  A small business owned by one half of C&C Events, Cora.

This wee business started in the first lockdown of 2020, like a lot of other small businesses, the only difference is, Cora decided to put her energy into something, really that would keep her here. After the stillbirth of her daughter, Amelia, she needed a little something to keep her going (before she added two other kids to her family). Love from, Amelia offers personalised prints, line drawing, hen/stag/wedding print gifts and a lot more. All sales proceeds are donated to charities making a massive difference!

This week, we’re shining New Start Highland.

New Start Highland is a dynamic and evolving social enterprise founded in 2000 by Chief Executive James Dunbar. Each year, it supports more than 1,500 people

across the Highlands who are experiencing vulnerability due to poverty, crisis, social isolation and loneliness. Through a holistic, person-centred approach, New Start

Highland delivers a wide range of training programmes and essential services designed to improve health and wellbeing, increase education and nurture hope and

aspiration. By fostering community spirit and meaningful connections, every aspect of its work contributes to a single overarching goal: reducing poverty, homelessness and isolation.

As Scotland’s leading reuse charity, the organisation provides people across the Highlands with access to low- and no-cost furniture and household goods, diverting

thousands of items from landfill each year. This not only supports families in creating safe, stable homes, but also delivers significant environmental benefits. New Start Highland is committed to championing a circular economy and driving forward the pre-loved movement within its community.

New Start Highland are always looking for volunteers within their retail spaces and seek donations to support those within our local community.

This week, we’re shining a light on Rosa & Co.

"I’m Kirsten, and I started Rosa & Co during one of the most transformative seasons of my life.

In 2024, I finished work to begin maternity leave and welcome our second child, Rosa. What I thought would be a temporary pause from a job I loved became a complete change of direction. Our son Clayton was struggling at nursery and awaiting an autism diagnosis, and it quickly became clear that returning to work wasn’t the right choice for our family. Around the same time, I was quietly battling postpartum depression, which I ignored for over a year until I finally reached a point where I had to seek help. Then we began to notice that Rosa’s development wasn’t progressing typically either, and we are now awaiting referrals as we explore whether she may also be neurodivergent.

It was a season filled with love, worry, exhaustion and resilience. I needed something that was just mine — something to focus on while my hands were full and my heart was carrying so much.

That’s how Rosa & Co was born.

At Rosa & Co, I hand-knit cord, carefully feed wire through it, and shape it into loved names, meaningful words, special dates, or simple shapes that hold sentimental value. Each piece is created slowly and intentionally, designed to be displayed and treasured. What began as a way to keep my mind busy soon became a creative outlet and a source of healing.

When the children are in bed, Rosa & Co wakes. In the quiet of the evening, I create — stitch by stitch, word by word — building something beautiful from a chapter that once felt overwhelming.

Rosa & Co is more than a small business. It’s resilience woven into every piece, inspired by my children, and built from a place of love."

This week, we’re shining a light on Heather’s Heroes.

Heather’s Heroes supports a network of charities across the UK that offer care, services and resources to those in need during their most challenging times. The charity was founded in memory of Heather Dallas, a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who sadly passed away from Cancer in January 2024. Heather’s Heroes aims to inspire fundraising by match-funding and sponsoring fundraising efforts, such as charity events and fundraising challenges. The impact of Heather’s Heroes has been significant to local communities, having donated over £270,000 to 32 charities across the UK since its launch in 2024.

Heather’s Heroes is committed to making a real difference in the lives of those facing adversity. Through our fundraising efforts, we proudly support a network of remarkable charities across the UK that provide essential care, resources, and comfort to individuals and families navigating life’s most difficult challenges. Our mission is rooted in compassion and driven by the desire to bring hope to those who need it most. By funding these invaluable charities, we help ensure that people in our local communities receive the support, guidance, and relief they deserve – whether they are coping with life-limiting illnesses, experiencing hardship, or seeking comfort in difficult times.

This week, we’re shining a light on A.H Photography. 

Ainslie said "I have always been fascinated by how a camera can capture a moment in a single click. From a young age I was always stealing my dad's cameras and photography became such a strong hobby of mine. As a mum of 2 children with disabilities, I was always scared to take my kids to get professional photos done, as I'm sure many other parents have thought also. Then I thought to myself, why can't I give them an environment where they can be who they are and capture it. So I did, and it's been an amazing adventure so far!

My services are quite broad! I offer individual, couples, families, kids, animals, ASN(Additional Support Needs), Events and more!

I'm a sucker for a giveaway so there's always one going! I'm also running loyalty cards where once you've booked your 10th session you receive a 30 minute free session!!"

This week, we’re shining a light on Abbie's Sparkle Foundation

"We are a children’s Cancer charity based in Moray, dedicated to supporting the physical and mental health of children with cancer, across Scotland.

We were founded by teenager Abbie Main, before she sadly passed away from Sarcoma on Christmas Day 2017.

We provide meaningful moments of joy, comfort and relief for children and their families during an incredibly difficult time. Families often tell us that these “Sparkles” are far more than a gift — they provide long lasting, far reaching support for the whole family.

Our key projects include:

• Individual Giving – providing personalised gifts and treats to children in treatment.

• Abbie’s Sparkle Gift Bags – delivered twice a year, each including a £100 voucher to help children choose something special.

• Holidays at Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge near Aviemore – giving families a chance to have fun, rest, reconnect and make magical memories together.

• Funding the Annual Kids Fun Day Party in Aberdeen – a special day where children and families can relax and have fun together.

• Raising Awareness of Sarcoma and Childhood Cancer – helping ensure these illnesses receive the attention and understanding they deserve, in the hope of early diagnosis and potentially saving a life.

We rely entirely on the generosity of our communities and supporters to continue this work.

Although we are a small team, we have a big impact, reaching children throughout Scotland. Supporting every child in cancer treatment, as they need a little extra sparkle during very challenging times"

This week, we’re shining a light on @sarahlooking__

Sarah said:

"I’ve always been drawn to slow, deliberate creativity — I self-published a memoir when I was younger, and I’ve spent years finding joy and respite in photography and long walks. Seaside Mail grew out of wanting to come back to that space — something handmade, intentional, and rooted in Nairn. Each parcel is printed, packed, and stamped by hand in Nairn, and sent out into the world as a small piece of the Highlands. It’s about making art and community accessible, and bringing a little joy through the letterbox.

What I offer ~

Seaside Mail is a monthly snail mail subscription — each parcel is printed, packed, and stamped by hand in Nairn. No two months are the same.

∙ UK subscription — £6.50/month

∙ International subscription — £8.50/month

∙ A Letter from the Sea (one-off parcel) — £5 + shipping

You can find me at https://ko-fi.com/sarahlooking or follow along @sarahlooking_ on Instagram and TikTok.

Current giveaway

We’re currently running a giveaway on Instagram — 5 lucky winners will receive a Letter from the Sea, posted straight to their door. Head to @sarahlooking_ to enter"!