North Sutherland Field of Hope Raises Awareness of Marie Curie Charity

Pupils from Melvich Primary School, North Sutherland, today (Wednesday) helped raise awareness of the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity by planting a Field of Hope at a viewpoint on a new stretch of modern carriageway being built between Melvich and Strathy.

They attended a ceremony at Druim Badaioch na Heinish to complete the planting of 2,000 daffodils in common grazings overlooking Strathy Point and Dunnet Head and the Orkney islands.

The children were the guests of The Highland Council and their contractor on the road upgrade, Highland Quality Construction, who have worked with the Marie Curie Foundation on this awareness raising project.

November 7 was chosen because it is the day Marie Curie was born 140 years ago. And the bulbs should be in full bloom in time for the 60th anniversary of the Marie Curie charity being formed.

Inspiration behind the project is fund-raiser Nadine Archibald, who moved to Strathy four years ago as a Marie Curie nurse.

She is delighted that the Council and HQC promptly adopted her idea for a Field of Hope and it has provided her with the platform to raise money for the worthy cause, through a series of fund-raising events.

She said: “The road is located in a spectacular setting and the idea of the Field of Hope came to me one day when I was delayed by the road works. I have nursed many Marie Curie patients so I know that the work of our charity is greatly appreciated here. 

“It is a win:win situation as the charity gains through raising funds and awareness of the good work we do; and the field will look really beautiful every spring. It can also give people the chance to remember someone special.”

Work on the 3.8 kilometre stretch of road between Melvich and Strathy is due for completion later this month.