PICTURES: Ibiza comes to Inverness to mark 40th birthday of …
The spirit of Ibiza came to the dance floor in Inverness to mark what would have been the 40th birthday of a nurse who died in a horror car crash.
Sally Foulds left a husband and three young sons plus family and friends including devastated colleagues at Raigmore Hospital's theatre department in Inverness following the crash near her home in September last year.
A year on, they gathered together to remember the popular nurse at a Soiree for Sally which raised an incredible £21,000 for Highland mental health charity Mikeysline[2] and Crocus Highland[3] which supports bereaved children.
With the approach of midnight, guests were treated to a surprise as the tempo was turned up to create an Ibiza-style vibe as it had been Sally's wish to mark her milestone birthday with a trip to Mediterranean island known for its lively nightlife.
The event, at the Drumossie Hotel, was a celebration of Mrs Foulds's life but also evoked a sense of poignancy among the 288 guests.
On September 14, 2022, she had set off to drive from her Nethy Bridge home to her workplace where she was renowned for her passion in her role as the trauma team lead.
But minutes later, she was involved in a collision with a lorry on the A95 Aviemore to Keith road and died at the scene.
She left a husband, Greig, and sons Rhys, Olly and Finlay along with many friends and colleagues who were so shocked and upset that there was no celebration of her life at the time.
But as time passed, theatre practitioners Alena McDiarmid, Fiona Evans and Tina Stan decided to honour her memory by organising a fundraising event.
Mrs McDiarmid recalled Sally as a bright and bubbly person who was a wonderful mother and passionate about her job.
She said her death had a huge impact on many people including her colleagues who were used to supporting each other people as part of their work but had been devastated by her death and its sudden nature.
They were joined at the soiree by members of Sally's family, including her husband and sons, mother and brother, as well as friends throughout her life who travelled long distances to attend the event.
Local businesses had also supported the event.
"Everyone had a link in some way," she said.
"There was a warm positive attitude during the night."
The evening, hosted by Kenny Smith, included a three-course dinner, music from Rhythmnreel, a photo booth, an auction and raffle while Maree Nicholson provided photographic services free of charge.
A slide show of photographs of Sally throughout her life set to music had been the most emotional part of the night.
"There was silence as we all watched it," Mrs McDiarmid reflected. "There was not a dry eye."
As midnight approached – and what would have been Sally's birthday on September 30 – a DJ took to the stage to play Ibiza-style dance music and there was also music by a saxophone player.
"We brought Ibiza to Inverness," Mrs McDiarmid said.
"The dance floor was packed."
She said she was "delighted and gobsmacked" by how much the event raised.
"It was a fantastic night," she said.
"It was emotional. We have been grieving for the last year.
"But it was nice to see everyone with a smile on their faces while we remembered Sally as she was."
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References
- ^ Click here to sign up to our free newsletters! (www.inverness-courier.co.uk)
- ^ Mikeysline (www.mikeysline.co.uk)
- ^ Crocus Highland (highlandhospice.org)
- ^ here (www.inverness-courier.co.uk)