At the heart of our community

From providing mall space for local charities to hosting events that raise awareness and funds, Eastgate strives to make a positive impact on the communities that we serve.

Here are just some of our CSR initiatives over the past year!

Long-Standing Charity Partnerships

Highland Hospice Support & HeArt of the Ness

Eastgate continues to support specialist palliative care in the Highlands through its Highland Hospice donation station, which has raised over £5989.04 since July 2021, including £1485.86  in the past year, helping fund vital care services.

As part of the HeArt of the Ness trail, Eastgate sponsored a heart created by Inverness artist Sophie Robb, inspired by the beauty of Inverness and its iconic castles. The heart raised £97 in direct donations and was auctioned for £1,000. The trail raised £60,000 in total for Highland Hospice.

Highland Hospice also take part in the United Charities Christmas Card stand and raised £4481.20

The Highland Hero Awards - Healthcare Hero of the Year 2026

At Eastgate Shopping Centre, we’re proud to celebrate the unsung heroes who make our community stronger, kinder, and more resilient. That’s why we’re delighted to support the Highland Heroes Awards, which recognise the individuals and organisations who go above and beyond to help others. "Our sponsorship of the Healthcare Hero category reflects our deep appreciation for the professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Too often working quietly behind the scenes, these heroes provide essential support that transforms lives. By backing this award, we want to shine a light on their invaluable contributions and say thank you for their unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the Highlands. "Supporting Highland Heroes is at the heart of our mission to nurture community spirit and honour those who make a real difference. We are privileged to be part of this celebration and look forward to recognising these remarkable people once again."

Poppyscotland Installation & Remembrance Support

Eastgate Shopping Centre was proud to host a striking, community-crafted river of poppies installation in support of the Scottish Poppy Appeal from October to November 2025. Created using more than 3,300 hand-knitted and crocheted poppies, the display was made possible by local crafters, schools, businesses and community groups from across the Highlands.

Flowing through the heart of the centre from a five-metre-high structure beside Chisholm Hunter, the installation provided a powerful focal point for Remembrance, reflection and community support for veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Alongside the installation, Eastgate hosted in-centre fundraising and volunteering in support of Poppyscotland’s annual appeal. While Eastgate typically raises between £2,500–£3,000 each year, the 2025 campaign saw an exceptional response from the community, with over £6,000 raised, helping to provide vital, life-changing support to Scotland’s Armed Forces community.

Supporting HALO – Highland Action for Little Ones

Eastgate continues its partnership with HALO – Highland Action for Little Ones, supporting disadvantaged children across the Highlands. In-centre donation points accept new and preloved items for children aged 0–18 and in 2025 averaged 42 kilos a week, that’s over 2100 Kilos per year. In 2025, Halo issued 1169 care packages across the highland region, for example, containing 10488 items of clothing, 2232 Christmas gifts and 2301 packs of wipes and nappies, amongst other vital supplies.

In addition, HALO includes a book in every care package to support learning and emotional well-being. Since World Book Day 2024, Eastgate’s book drives have collected over 700 books for local children, helping to inspire a love of reading and enrich educational opportunities in the community.

Fundraising Events & Volunteering

Inverness Easter Egg Hunt

Eastgate’s annual Inverness Easter Egg Hunt continues to be a highlight for families and fundraisers. The 2025 event raised £513.41 for The Archie’s Foundation, bringing the total raised from Eastgate-supported events since 2000 to £99,910. To mark this milestone, Eastgate Marketing Manager Sarah Purdie abseiled down Dunrobin Castle, raising a further £1,005 and taking the fundraising total to over £100,000.

Supporting Mikeysline at Royal Ascot Ladies Day

Eastgate Cares volunteers once again supported Mikeysline at Royal Ascot Ladies Day, helping raise vital funds for suicide prevention and mental-health support in the Highlands. In 2025, Eastgate volunteers helped contribute to £27,000, bringing the total raised with Eastgate’s support to £144,500 since 2023. The team is already set to support the 2026 event.

Festive Charity Initiatives

The festive season at Eastgate is a time for bringing the community together and supporting local causes, with a range of well-established initiatives making a real difference each year.

• Salvation Army Inverness Wrapping Station raised over £10,000, helping support local people during the winter months.
• The Giving Tree collected 690 presents for 250 children in 2025 across the Highlands, ensuring families felt supported at Christmas. In 2024, the initiative provided 762 presents for 243 children.
• The annual Pay It Forward session at the Eastgate Grotto, delivered in partnership with TFX, welcomed over 35 families to experience the magic of Santa’s Grotto. Now in its third year, the initiative has supported more than 120 families.
• The Inverness Choral Society Carolathon, held annually at Eastgate, filled the centre with festive music while raising an incredible £2,350 in 2025 for Munlochy Animal Aid. £5200 in 2024 for Highland & Islands Blood Bikes
• United Charity Christmas Cards returned to Eastgate with its annual festive stall, raising a total of £8536.11, for local charities and community causes, continuing its long-standing Christmas presence within the centre.

Eastgate Cares: Supporting Local Communities

Eastgate Shopping Centre’s Eastgate Cares initiative continues its longstanding commitment to supporting local charities, community groups and causes across Inverness and the Highlands. Through ongoing fundraising, donations, volunteer support and community-focused activities, Eastgate works alongside partners to make a meaningful difference. Charities and organisations can also engage directly with shoppers by booking a space within the centre.

One of the cornerstone community opportunities is the monthly Brew & Blether community coffee morning, now running for over two years, offering a warm, welcoming space for locals to connect and make new friendships.

Find Out More & Get Involved

For more information about Eastgate’s community initiatives or to get involved:

Veronica MacKintosh
Administration & Commercialisation Manager
T: 01463 246894
E: administrator@eastgate-centre.co.uk

Sarah Purdie
Marketing Manager

T:01463 246891

E: marketing@eastgate-centre.co.uk