Girls just wanna have fun

Hundreds of women helped to raise £4500 for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal.

More 350 attended The Inverness Courier’s Girls’ Night Out event at Eden Court Theatre.

The three-hour extravaganza featured about 30 exhibitors and showcased some of the best of fashion, lifestyle, health and beauty in the Highlands.

Highlights included a fashion show co-ordinated by Gillian Glover Maclean with the latest looks from a range of High Street fashion stores including French Connection, Coast, Next, Wallis and Debenhams.

Renowned choreographer Steve Agyei, who has worked with stars such as Beyonce and Emma Bunton but now lives in Cromarty, also had everyone in the theatre shaking their booty with a series of exercise routines.

Inverness beauty salon, Hermanas, meanwhile, was on hand to offer manicures while Bar One put on a show on creating cocktails. There was a raffle with the star prize featuring a spa break for four at Knock Castle Hotel in Crieff worth over £900.

The event, hosted by Courier columnist Nicky Marr, was sponsored by Tulloch Homes.

The proceeds were boosted by £93 from a tin collection among those attending the musical Jesus Christ Superstar being staged the same at night Eden Court.

Scottish Privincial Press advertising manager Stephen Barron said the event was such a success that another is already under consideration.

"Thanks to everyone who contributed to the organisation of the night — to the team at The Inverness Courier, the people who put together the fashion show, Nicky Marr and all the exhibitors, and all the audience who participated with great spirit," he said. "It was a fantastic night for a fantastic charity."

The £1 million fund raising was launched earlier this year by the ARCHIE Foundation in conjunction with the Courier. The aim is to develop a more child-centre and family-focused children’s ward within two years.

* See today's Inverness Courier for more photographs from the event.