Sail The Highland Seas With Highland Hospice

21st February 2010

Exclusive offer - 25% off only available until 14 March 2010
Highland Hospice is offering a time limited discount for a week aboard the beautiful Bristol Pilot Cutter "Mascotte" and the modern "Gael Force". By booking on this ethical holiday before March 14 sailors and aspiring sailors can support a worthy cause (90% of funds go directly to the charity) and gain the holiday of a life time as they sail on the stunning West coast of Scotland.

In 2010 organisers for Highland Hospice are offering the chance of a lifetime for sailing enthusiasts. Both seasoned and aspiring sailors are invited to book their space on either the 100 year old "Mascotte" or sleek, modern "Gael Force", spaces are in high demand, and the Hospice are keen to get as many places secured as soon as possible.

Mascotte is a former pilot cutter, built in 1904 to ply the Bristol Channel, she has had various incarnations, and now, lovingly restored, she works as a pleasure craft, also starring in film and television. She's described as a 'happy ship, with countless friends', and has two double and three single berths. On the other hand, the Oban-based Gael Force is fitted with luxury mod cons including an excellent galley, cream leather upholstery, heating system and berths for six people.

It's not only a sailing holiday the Hospice are offering, each week there will be a ceilidh featuring renowned bands. Participants can be assured of magnificent scenery - sights such as the Isles of Iona, Mull and Skye, the Corrievreckan whirlpool and Fingals' cave are on the four week route - outstanding wildlife along the rugged coastlines and excellent cuisine which is all included in the price. Sailing the boats is part of the experience and guests are guaranteed to leave with memories which will last a lifetime.
The cruises will last for one week each. The first leaves Oban on 29th May, the second cruise leaves Portree on 5th of June, the third leaves June 12th from Ullapool and the final tour departs from Mallaig on the 19th of June. All meals are included in the price of the journeys.

The Director of Fundraising and Communications for Highland Hospice, David Welch is looking forward to this one of a kind event to raise funds for the organisation which has recently expanded it's services on the west coast of Scotland. "This is a sailing holiday with a difference," he says, "not only will participants be treated to the magnificent scenery and outstanding wildlife so unique to the west coast of Scotland, but they will be treated to a superb ceilidh with renowned bands, and an array of other special events staged just for the participants. Most importantly of all, this event will help to reach our fundraising targets which are over £2.1 million each year. This event is particularly special as earlier in 2009 we launched additional palliative care services on the Isle of Skye which consists of an Outreach Team, taking the Day Hospice concept provided in Inverness to the community of Skye in hopes of improving quality of life for those with terminal illness."

This fantastic fundraising opportunity for Highland Hospice is made possible thanks to the extreme generosity of the owners of the boats.

Ends. Notes for editors:
Contact Lindsay Campbell, Communications Officer, Highland Hospice 00 44 1463 246473 or 00 44 7890892537
Sailing Dates and Routes:
Week one: 29th May - 5th June Oban to Portree
Week two: 5th - 12th June Portree - Ullapool
Week three: 12th - 19th June Ullapool - Mallaig
Week four: 19th - 26th June Mallaig - Oban

Costs
Minimum donation of:
Mascotte 2 doubles + 3 singles
Price per person per week £750 or £562.50 with 25% discount
Boat per week, up to 7 places £5,000 or £3750 with 25% discount

Gael Force: 2/3doubles
Price per person per week £700 or £525 with 25% reduction in costs
Boat per week, up to 6 places £3,500 or £2625 with 25% reduction in costs
About Highland Hospice
Highland Hospice is the only hospice serving adults with incurable life limiting disease in the Highlands of Scotland and is acknowledged as the centre of specialist palliative care expertise in the region. A full multidisciplinary team is employed to provide true holistic care and comprises medical and nursing staff, occupational, physio and complementary therapists, a chaplain and family support workers. The Hospice currently provides a 10 bed In Patient Unit in Inverness and a Day Hospice on the same site. Medical staff, working closely with NHS colleagues, provide a consultancy service within Raigmore and community hospitals as well as visiting patients at home throughout the Highlands.

The Hospice also provides bereavement counselling for relatives, a 24 hour telephone helpline and education and training for other healthcare professionals to enhance their ability to provide palliative care in their own communities.

While the majority of the referred patients have cancer, the Hospice services are open to those with other incurable life-limiting diseases including, for example, lung, kidney or heart disease and neurological conditions.

The area covered by the Hospice stretches from Dalwhinnie in the south, east to Forres, west to Ardnamurchan, Lochalsh and Skye and north to John O'Groats and Cape Wrath. This area is 10,000 square miles. Highland Hospice relies on the generosity of the Highland community to raise the more than £42,000 that is required every week to keep the services going and to ensure that an exceptional quality of care continues to be provided.