The third Sneckie Insomnia Soccer event is returning to Inverness on Saturday, 18 January and Sunday 19 January to raise much-needed funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – better known as CHAS.
The popular 12-hour football tournament, which attracts teams of all ages from across the Highlands, will be especially poignant this year following the recent death of one of the event’s main organisers Alistair Norrie.
A well-known Inverness businessman and sportsman, Alistair was master of ceremonies at the past two Sneckie Insomnia events. Together, Alistair and his fellow members of Inverness Business Fives Grou, who have played five-a-side-football together for over 35 years, helped raise £40,000 for CHAS.
As a fitting tribute, the construction sector teams will be competing to win the Alistair Norrie Cup this year, established in his memory.
Twenty-eight teams are competing in the event this year in various hotly contested sectors such as Car Dealerships and Hotels. There are also Professional and Fun categories.
Organisers are hoping to hit their target of £25,000 at the 2020 event which would bring the total amount raised for CHAS since 2018 to £65,000.
The overnight five-a-side tournament, supported by Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County Football Clubs, will kick off at Inverness Leisure Centre on Saturday 18 January at 5pm.
Sneckie CHAS cheque presentationFrank Gaskell, secretary of the Inverness Business Group said:
“We’re delighted to be hosting our third Sneckie Insomnia Event which encourages football enthusiasts of all ages and fitness levels to come together to share the physical benefits of the game while also having the privilege of raising funds to support CHAS at the same time.
“Throughout the event, we will be remembering our dear friend Alistair Norrie who devoted much of his time to helping organise Sneckie Insomnia and making it what it is today.”
CHAS currently supports more than 20 children with life-shortening conditions and their families in Inverness and the Highlands and Moray areas as well as other parts of Scotland.
The CHAS at Home service offers palliative care and family respite to families in their own homes across the whole of Scotland and has teams working in communities and hospitals across the country. In addition, the charity supports families and clinical teams with a network of Diana Children’s Nurses.
Sneckie Insomnia 2020 posterCHAS Community Fundraiser, Ruathy Donald, said:
“The Sneckie Insomnia Soccer is a fantastic community event run by generous members of Inverness Business Fives such as Frank, to whom we are so grateful.
“Everyone involved will greatly miss Alistair Norrie this year as he was one of the main driving forces behind this popular festival. He was much loved and respected by everyone involved and the trophy established in his memory is a very fitting tribute and will ensure his memory lives on.
“I would like to also thank all those taking part. All the money raised through sponsorship and donations will help support families in the Highlands area by providing vital care and invaluable experiences to help keep the joy alive for many children with life-shortening illnesses and their families across Scotland.”
For more details on the event and how to get involved visit www.facebook.com/sneckieinsomniasoccer