When a Highland family received the devastating news that their young daughter Sophie had been diagnosed with a rare, life-limiting illness, local businesses – led by McInnes Group, a trusted Highland firm specialising in plumbing, heating, and renewable energy – rallied together in an extraordinary act of community support.
Sophie, who will turn two this summer, was diagnosed in November 2024 with CLN1 Batten Disease – an aggressive and incredibly rare genetic condition that causes progressive loss of mobility, vision, and independence.
In the wake of this diagnosis, Sophie’s mum Lizzie made the heart-wrenching but necessary decision to leave her job and become her daughter’s full-time carer – turning the family into a single-income household almost overnight.
Determined to ease financial pressures, the family began exploring solar power as a long-term solution to cut energy costs. They were initially directed towards government funding, but were later told they didn’t qualify as the property failed to meet specific requirements.
Undeterred, Sophie’s dad Keith reached out to McInnes Group for advice. What came back was far more than guidance – it was a life-changing offer: a full solar and battery installation, delivered entirely free of charge.
Now, thanks to the generosity of McInnes Group, The Electric Centre, and DW Scaffold, Sophie’s home is now powered by a fully installed solar and battery system – with all equipment, labour, and coordination donated at no cost to the family.
“We didn’t know McInnes Group before this,” Keith explained. “They were total strangers. But they listened, they cared, and they acted. What’s even more incredible about this is that it wasn’t just one person – it was a whole team, a whole community, who came together to support our family. That kind of generosity is rare.”
McInnes Group not only covered the cost of the battery, inverter, labour, and coordination – they rallied others to join the effort, including The Electric Centre, who generously donated all solar panels and rails, and DW Scaffold, who provided scaffolding and labour, free of charge.
At the heart of the project was McInnes Group’s Managing Director, Lachlan McInnes – a father himself – who says the decision to help was deeply personal.
“As a parent, Sophie’s story hit me especially hard,” Lachlan said. “We didn’t think twice. This wasn’t about business. It was about people. And it was about showing that in the Highlands, when someone’s struggling, we pull together.
“That sense of solidarity certainly carried the entire project through to completion – it really is a testament to what can be achieved when community comes first.”
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Sophie continues to bring joy to everyone she meets. “Most people wouldn’t even realise she’s ill just by looking at her,” Keith said. “But she’s already lost some of her strength and independence. We don’t know what the future holds, but this act of kindness has taken a huge weight off our shoulders.”
As the cost of living continues to challenge families and businesses alike, this collective act stands out as a powerful reminder of the strength found in community. These local businesses gave more than just equipment and time – they gave comfort, dignity, and hope to a family who needed it most.
To learn more about Sophie, her diagnosis, and ongoing community support, check out Sophie’s Story on Facebook.
McInnes Group is a trusted, family-run business providing expert plumbing, heating, and renewable energy solutions for both domestic and commercial clients across Scotland. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Inverness, the company operates with locally based engineers throughout the country and a dedicated depot in Dumfries. With extensive experience in both traditional and renewable technologies – including solid fuel, oil, gas, LPG, and solar – McInnes Group offers reliable, high-quality service on projects of all sizes. To find out more, you can visit the company’s website at www.mcinnesgroup.co.uk, or check out their Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.