Ness Factor singer hoping for fundraising boost at Belladrum music festival in aid of Highland Hospice

Ness Factor finalist Lisa Foster thinks she has good reasons to get involved in the big singing competition that raises vital funds to keep Highland Hospice providing palliative care for end-of-life patients.

The 34-year-old works for the Inverness-based charity and as deputy commerce manager runs their 15 shops throughout the north.

But also on a more personal level, she has heard her granny praise the hospice for the tremendous care they gave her grandad in his final days.

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She said: “I meet so many people who have direct connection with the hospice, so I am determined to raise as much as I possibly can for them.

“I have still much to firm up, but I am delighted to have managed to secure a sponsor in Harry Gow the bakers.

“I am planning running a raffle, and have arranged pop-up hospice shops at the Belladrum festival in a few days’ time and Moy Country Fair on August 2 and 3.”

Lisa is also planning to recruit husband Matthew, who works for the NHS, and their son Jamie (8) into her fundraising campaign, and living in Beauly she is hoping to collaborate with the community including the local school to raise funds there too.

She is a keen singer, and loves to spend her down time singing and playing her guitar, but she admits she usually has friends and family as an audience and appearing in the Ness Factor will be a much more daunting prospect, she thinks.

She enthusiastically added however: “We have our singing tutors for the competition which is great for helping us to relax and enjoy it.

“I think it will be fun and I am looking forward to it.”

Ness Factor is a major event in the hospice fundraising calendar. It is a local charity close to the hearts of many, and it is organised each year by Lornagh Siegel.

This year three duets and seven individual performers will battle it out to see who will be crowned champion at Inverness’s Drumossie Hotel on October 26, when one lucky winner will get the chance to perform at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival the following summer.

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