Care home duo go the distance for good causes
21 April 2026
Two intrepid staff from Innis Mhor care home in Tain are taking on demanding fundraising challenges to support good causes in the Highlands.
Antonia Shearer, a carer at Innis Mhor, and her mum have just completed an incredible nine-day trek along the Great Wall of China in support of Highland Hospice.
The pair were part of a group of fundraisers who travelled across remote and historic sections of the wall, covering more than 85km and climbing over 160,000 steps. Their journey took them through Huangyaguan, Qianganjian and Gubeikou villages, trekking across a mix of restored sections and ancient parts of the wall dating back to the 7th century.
Antonia, a carer at Innis said: “It has been an incredible adventure that we will all remember forever. We’ve shared so many memories with an amazing group of people, and feel really privileged to have had the opportunity to explore such incredible parts of the Great Wall while supporting a truly important cause.
“As a team, we have raised over £200,000 for Highland Hospice. This will help support the vital care and services they provide to people and families across the Highlands.”
The money raised will help fund the hospice’s newly introduced palliative response at home service in the Inverness area for around a year, a vital and much-needed resource for local families.
Meanwhile, fellow carer Nicky Shearer is preparing to take on one of Scotland’s best-known long-distance routes, walking the 96-mile West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William to raise funds for residents at Innis Mhor.
The route, which passes along Loch Lomond and through Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, will see Nicky spend several days on foot, including wild camping along the way.
She said: “I’m going to walk the West Highland Way to raise money for the residents’ fund. I’ll be soaking up the amazing scenery along the way and hopefully avoiding the dreaded midges. It’s all for a great cause, and I’m really grateful to everyone who supports it.”
Funds raised through Nicky’s challenge will go directly towards activities and experiences for residents.
Antonia has already raised more than £2,800, and donations can still be made at https://justgiving.com/page/antonia-shearer-1.
Donations in support of Nicky’s fundraising can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/care-home-residents-funds
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Pictured above: left to right - Jeanie Clabbie, a volunteer at the Hospice cafe, Gillian McRobie, a nurse at the Hospice, Antonia Shearer and mum Rhianna Shearer. News page image: Nicky Shearer.
