Well known local man Gary Friedman runs a mobility aids business to help people keep mobile as they get older. Gary’s All Mobility shop is in the centre of Inverness and he has another shop in Elgin.

“A lot of people I’ve come into contact with have complained about the lack of information and availability for mobility aids” says Gary “so I decided that I could make a difference by opening up these All Mobility shops.”

For many years he’s run the 2 Esso Petrol Stations in Inverness, employing 20 people. But Gary’s also well known for his local community work. At the Highland Hospice he’s a voluntary driver, and part time night receptionist “plus any other duties that they call upon me from time to time which is quite often!” says Gary.

He joined the local inshore RNLI lifeboat at Kessock Lifeboat Station 10 years ago as a crew member, working his way up to Helmsman. “Then due to my age I had to leave the active crew,” reflects Gary. Keen to show how active he really is, Gary’s completed the London Marathon 4 times – on one of these he helped carry a replica Lifeboat for the RNLI! Despite not being considered for active crew and always looking to do more for others, 4 years ago Gary became Lifeboat Operations Manager - a post he still holds.