A SERIES of fundraising activities in honour of a doctor from Stirling will begin later this month.

Dr Sharon Hutchison, originally from Stirling, had been living in Inverness and working as researcher at the University of Highlands and Islands Division of Biomedical Sciences.

She died on December 28 last year, aged 39, just one year after being diagnosed with Melanoma – the disease she spent her career trying to cure.

A fundraising event and raffle have been organised for February 29 at Sharon's gym, 57North, in Inverness with proceeds going to Highland Hospice.

Louise said: "Sharon's true strength and determination showed throughout her illness, still working and continuing to research the disease which she was sadly suffering from.

"In memory of my wonderful friend, I wanted to take on these challenges.

"It is difficult to put into words what the Hospice provides; the care, respect, compassion and support provided to not only Sharon, but her family and close friends was indescribable.

"The Highland Hospice is the only provider of specialist palliative care in the Highlands and needs funds of over £7,000 a day to cover costs of the services which they provide."

Louise has set up a Just Giving page where she hopes to raise £4,000 and she is also selling raffle tickets with prizes kindly donated by local businesses.

She added: "I'd like to thank everyone who has supported, donated or bought tickets. I'm hopeful that we can reach our target while honouring such an intelligent and beautiful person, inside and out, who has left a void in the lives of all who knew her."

Prizes include tickets to Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs Dundee on March 21, a Stirling Gin Distillery tour for two, Loch Ness Country House Hotel afternoon tea for two and others.

Raffle tickets are prized at £2 per ticket or £10 per strip and can be bought by emailing doingitforsharon@gmail.com

Visit justgiving.com/Louise-Harper-DoingitforSharon to donate, with all funds going directly to the Highland Hospice.