Royal Navy veterans launch prize draw for dream lighthouse cottages in support of Sophie’s Legacy
Two historic lighthouse cottages could be yours for £5
For £5, entrants in a unique prize draw, launched by Royal Navy veterans, could win two historic lighthouse cottages while helping raise money for charity.
Ten years ago, Alan and Vicky Mackinnon decided to embark on a different lifestyle after serving in the Royal Navy by packing their bags and moving to the island Hoy, in Scotland, where they purchased former keeper’s cottages at Cantick Head Lighthouse.
After a decade on the island, the pair have launched a prize draw, with one person winning two, two-bedroom Victorian cottages - one of which operates as a successful holiday let business that generates more than £35,000 during a seven-month season.
The competition will also raise money for four charities, with ten per cent being donated to Sophie’s Legacy, Longhope RNLI, The Scarlett Fund and Longhope Lifeboat Museum.
Sophie’s Legacy was established in 2022 following the tragic death of ten-year-old Sophie Fairall, after she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in September of 2020.
While undergoing gruelling cancer treatment, the young girl from Stubbington made her mother, Charlotte, promise to help improve the hospital experience for children with cancer by campaigning for seven-day-a-week play specialist support, better food for young patients, and meals for parents staying alongside their children.
Vicky was one of the first people to hold Sophie when she was born and received one of the first phone calls from Charlotte when her daughter was admitted to hospital with cancer.
Vicky said: “Sophie was one of the most remarkable people I have ever known and I feel honoured to have been chosen to be her godmother. Even during the most difficult periods of her illness, she was thinking about how she could help other children. She had a wisdom and kindness far beyond her years.
“When Alan and I decided to launch this competition, supporting Sophie’s Legacy was never in doubt. Sophie loved Orkney and she loved Hoy. The fact that a competition centred around a place she loved can now help support the charity that carries her name feels incredibly special.
“Charlotte has achieved something extraordinary. She has taken the deepest imaginable loss and created a charity that is making a genuine difference to children and families every day.”
The cottages overlook the Pentland Firth and Scapa Flow and are adjacent to Cantick Head Lighthouse - an active lighthouse which first entered service in 1858.
The winner of the competition may alternatively choose a cash prize of £200,000, but a minimum of 120,000 tickets need to be sold for the main prize to be given.
If less than 120,000 tickets are sold, the winner will receive a cash payment amounting to 50 per cent of the total ticket revenue generated.
“If this competition can help support that work and ensure Sophie’s legacy continues to grow, then that means a great deal to us”, Vicky added.
Alongside running the business, Vicky and Alan have remained heavily involved within their local community. Both are volunteers with RNLI Longhope, and Alan is also a volunteer with the Longhope Lifeboat Museum.
The family's connection to service continues today, with two of Vicky and Alan's sons now also serving in the Royal Navy.
Alan said: “Cantick Head has been far more than a business to us. It has been our home, our lifestyle and a place where we have shared the beauty of Orkney with visitors from across the world.
“Moving here changed our lives completely and gave our two younger children an incredible childhood. When we started thinking about retirement, we realised we had the opportunity to create something positive that could also help support causes that mean a great deal to us.
“It felt like a genuine win-win; giving somebody else the opportunity to experience this amazing place and lifestyle, whilst also raising money for charities we truly believe in.”