Charity Archives - Page 13 of 41

Pay Day For North-East Charities

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Jun 242016

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

A series of POWWOWS to help people deal with mental health issues will take place in the Granite City after a mental health charity received £500 from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.
During 2014-2015 Penumbra supported more than 650 people in Aberdeen aged from teenagers to 70 plus, through a wide range of services offering hope and practical steps towards recovery.

Its services include Penumbra Workshops on Wellbeing – or POWWOWS – which are educational, informative, relevant and fun group sessions.

They bring together people with an interest in a particular area of wellbeing to share knowledge and experience by discussing tips, ideas and practical steps that can be taken to improve health.

Themes include building confidence, achieving goals, overcoming stigma, hopefulness and food for thought. Penumbra’s vision is a society where every individual is accepted, supported and has the resources to fulfil their potential, without limits caused by mental ill health and participants say they feel more confident, healthier and in control through learning from others as a result of taking part in these sessions.

One of the highlights in the calendar of a rural Aberdeenshire community will benefit by £250 from Aberdeen’s charitable pot. It will help ensure that Rhynie Gala Day on Saturday, August 20 remains a free to enter event, as it has been for the past 35 years.

The gala attracts around 2,000 visitors including tourists and is run entirely by volunteers featuring stalls, attractions and catering, a pop-up restaurant and licensed dance.

Proceeds raised are shared out with local groups through Rhynie Charitable Trust Ltd which helps more than half a dozen groups in the village that are reliant on fundraising activities in order to continue. These groups include a Car Aid scheme which transports people to and from hospital as well as a bowling club and Brownies.

Aberdeen Asset Management previously announced its support for Alzheimer Scotland’s dementia café in Aberdeen, which received £2,500. People living with dementia, their families and carers maintain social connections and make friendships by meeting up over a cuppa at dementia cafés, which improve wellbeing and confidence as well as maintain links with communities.

Dominic Kite of Aberdeen’s Charitable Foundation says:

“We are happy to provide a helping hand for these groups that do sterling work in their communities. Penumbra strives to improve mental wellbeing and supports a wide range of age groups, from teenagers to pensioners, in Aberdeen. Rhynie Charitable Trust helps maintain a strong sense of community in its rural Aberdeenshire setting.

“Meanwhile Aberdeen’s support of a dementia café provides an informal setting for people with dementia, their family and carers to enjoy a cup of tea and a cake along with friendship and support over a cup of tea and a cake. All worthy causes indeed.”

Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. It seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects.

The main focus of the Foundation is around emerging markets and local communities, reflecting the desire to give back to those areas which are a key strategic focus of the business and to build on the historic pattern of giving to communities in which Aberdeen employees live and work.

For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home

CLAN To Mark Father’s Day With Special Walk

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 172016

With thanks to Phil Moar, Account Manager, Citrus:Mix.

A leading north-east cancer support charity is to hold a special walk to mark Father’s Day. CLAN Cancer Support will host its annual Father’s Day event within Aberdeen’s Westburn Park on Sunday, June 19, from 9.30am to noon.

The event gives friends, families and individuals the opportunity to walk a 1km route through the park in memory of a loved one on a day that holds great significance for many.

The walk itself can be completed as many times as an individual chooses, with an opportunity to be sponsored to do so also available for participants.

The Father’s Day event follows a similar walk held on Mother’s Day earlier this year after CLAN was inspired by Macduff woman and CLAN supporter Marjorie Nicholson who organised a sponsored walk after losing her son to cancer on Mother’s Day in 2007.

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said:

“Our Father’s Day walk is one of our most touching events of the year which was really born out of a need to offer comfort and support on what can be a difficult day for fathers, mothers and children.

“The aim of the walk is to turn the day into something positive for those who perhaps look upon it with a sense of trepidation. It’s a chance to remember loved ones and to come together with others to celebrate the lives of family members.

“Participants can choose to walk as far as they would like and the can also choose to get sponsored – but the day itself is really more than fundraising; it’s about a sense of togetherness.”

Registration for the walk is £5 and should be completed prior to the event. Children may walk for free but must be accompanied for an adult. For more details and to register, please contact Darren Hill on 01224 647000 or email fundraising@clanhouse.org

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort, support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

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AAM Helps Wounded Veterans Become High Fliers

Charity, Information No Responses »

Jun 102016

Wounded veterans whose injuries have ended their military careers are rebuilding their lives by training for rewarding and sustainable employment in civil aviation with a charity that has landed £18,000 from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation. With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Wings for Warriors student Marc Goddard and instructor Chris Kirk.

Ex-service personnel overcome amputation, serious burns, multiple fractures and gunshot injuries to be chosen for rigorous flight training, gruelling academic exams, underwater escape training and regular tests as students with Wings for Warriors.
Aberdeen’s funding package will support one ex-veteran through 18 months’ full training to become a commercial helicopter pilot, leading to opportunities with the air ambulance, coastguard, offshore operators and others.

It helps students like Marc Goddard (28) who was serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan when he sustained life-changing injuries whilst travelling in an armoured vehicle which hit an improvised explosive device.

Marc was among casualties airlifted to Camp Bastion where he was stabilised and flown back home to hospital in the UK with multiple broken bones and 25% burns to his body.

The complexity of his fractures meant he was no longer fit for service, and while jobs in offshore marine security and events management followed, neither fitted the father-of two’s lifestyle or skills.

Marc explains:

“I joined the Royal Marines straight from school and I had never known anything different. I hit a low, wondering how I was ever going to have a job that I enjoyed again and be able to support my family.

“I grew up in Norfolk around military bases and I’d always had an interest in aviation and did a bit of soul searching. I got back in touch with Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre and spoke to the right people and found out more about Wings for Warriors. I had no idea they could help people like me but I discovered it was open to veterans in my position.”

Marc made it through the tough application process and has embarked on training in Aberdeen, one of Europe’s busiest commercial helicopter centres, where the Wings for Warriors’ training centre is based.

Marc adds:

“I’m very grateful for the support I’ve had in making this dream become a reality. This is not only providing me with a future career but everything I lost from leaving the Royal Marines is being restored. It’s a second chance, a second career that draws on many of the qualities of my military training to gain commercial skills and, hopefully, a career in the offshore helicopter industry.”

Chris Kirk was just 19 years old when he stood on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan. Chris, then a Private with the 5th Scotland Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, awoke in hospital back in the UK to be told he’d lost his foot and his military career was over. His future seemed bleak until he discovered Wings for Warriors with an online search, “can amputees fly helicopters?”

Chris has become a fully qualified pilot and is now serving as an instructor for the charity and says:

“When I heard about Wings for Warriors I thought it was all too good to be true but I was lucky enough to be selected as one of their students. Fast forward three years and here I am as an instructor for the charity. I’ve been very lucky to get this opportunity and coming from a similar background as the students, I hope it inspires them to see just what can be achieved.

“Without support from our donors like Aberdeen Asset Management, it would not be possible to do this and give veterans this fulfilling career that helps them and their families. I have been transformed from Chris the injured soldier to Chris the helicopter pilot and that is a massive change in my life. Wings for Warriors is helping change lives and prospects by restoring real meaning and purpose to people’s lives.”

Founded four years ago, Wings for Warriors is a registered UK charity which seeks to offer wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women the best opportunities after military service has ended.

It sees the demanding and sustainable world of commercial aviation as an incentive to keep moving forward, rather then dwelling on the past for its students, and providing a means to continue supporting their families for years to come.

It recognises that veterans need to work for themselves and no allowances are made – each application is reviewed on a case by case basis and while some injuries will restrict opportunties, many of the attributes found in those with a military background, including responsibility, motivation and commitment, logical reasoning and functioning under pressure, stand them in good stead for retraining.

Through its network of volunteers and donors, including Aberdeen, Wings for Warriors delivers professional flight training at around 85% of the costs of commercial UK flight schools.

Dominic Kite of Aberdeen’s Charitable Foundation says:

“We love this charity and what it does to offer a new start to injured veterans. For many veterans, life outside of the forces can appear daunting and uncertain at the best of times. Add a life-changing injury to the equation and the future can quickly become a depressing place.

“Wings For Warriors provide these wounded warriors with the skills to achieve an exciting, rewarding and sustainable future for many years to come, in civil aviation. With rebuilt confidence, capabilities and pride Wings For Warriors graduates return to their communities as people to look up to instead of look after.”

For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home

More information on Wings for Warriors is available at www.wings4warriors.org.uk

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AAM Support for ‘Lifeline’ Dementia Café

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 022016

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

A café that is dishing up friendship and support along with coffee and cake to people living with dementia has received a financial boost during Dementia Awareness Week (May 30-June 5)
Alzheimer Scotland’s dementia café in Aberdeen – hailed as a lifeline to families affected by the disease – has received £2,500 from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.

People living with dementia, their families and carers reap the benefits of maintaining social connections and making friendships by meeting up over a cuppa at dementia cafés, which improve wellbeing and confidence as well as maintain links with communities.

They are part of the network of support and information services provided by Alzheimer Scotland, the country’s leading dementia charity which also raises awareness and supports research into the disease.

Alzheimer Scotland’s corporate fundraiser Fiona Lewis said that the value of providing an informal get together for people affected by the disease could not be underestimated. Feedback from café users is positive, with people saying they’ve made genuine friendships, they have welcomed being able to meet up outside other activities, and they’ve been able to share the load with others in a similar situation.

Fiona said:

“The Aberdeen Dementia Café acts as a lifeline to many and provides the opportunity for both people living with dementia and their carers to make real and meaningful friendships outwith our services, which is invaluable throughout their journey with dementia. Our Aberdeen Dementia Café directly supports 18-20 people each month, benefitting people with dementia, their spouses or partners and younger family members who are often the person’s main carer.

“With facilities like this café, we want to ensure that anyone living with, or affected by, dementia in the Aberdeen area has access to information, care and support that they need in order to live well with the disease, or be able to support their loved one, in their own community.

“The Dementia Café positively impacts on many lives in the Aberdeen area and Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation’s kind support of £2,500 will help Alzheimer Scotland to continue providing this vital community service.”

Dominic Kite of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation, added:

“This café does great work in supporting people with dementia, their family and carers enabling them to remain connected with their communities, and to meet others in a similar situation in a friendly, relaxed and welcoming environment. We are pleased to offer this support and show our backing to Dementia Awareness Week and its message ‘let’s challenge dementia together’.”

There are 90,000 people with dementia in Scotland and while age is the greatest risk factor for dementia, there are around 3,000 people with dementia aged under 65.

The number of people with dementia is increasing because the population is getting older. Based on current dementia prevalence rates, the number of people with dementia is set to double within the next 25 years.

Dementia Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness and much-needed funds for those living with and affected by dementia in Scotland. It also seeks to promote becoming a Scottish Dementia Friend by understanding dementia and the small things that can be done to help people with the condition. This could be helping someone find the right bus or being patient in a till queue if someone with dementia is taking longer to pay. For more information, visit www.alzscot.org/daw2016

The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. For more information visit: www.aberdeen-asset.com/foundation

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Transport Police Raise Mental Health Awareness

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

May 272016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) based at Aberdeen will row into action next month (June) after pledging support to a north-east charity.
The team has chosen Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) as their charity of the year and hope to raise both awareness and funds for the cause – kicking off the partnership in style with the Garioch Lions raft race.

MHA provides support services, counselling and advice to people affected by challenges related to mental health and wellbeing.

This includes emotional and practical support; information and advice; support with helping overcome social isolation; links and access to other community resources; and activities promoting mental wellbeing.

Constable Peter McAndie of the BTP emphasised how close the cause is to their hearts due to incidents the force responds to on the railway.

He said:

“Mental health awareness is very close to our hearts not only because of the people we try to help, but because of course, the nature of our work has the potential to impact on our own health. We are aiming to do as much as we can to get people talking about mental health and for them to know what help is on offer.

“Mental Health Aberdeen does so much for people with poor mental health across the north-east and any money we raise will go towards helping facilitate this.

“Our team is raring to go for the race, it is always a fun event with a great atmosphere and we can’t wait to get going and boost the amount we have raised so far.”

Taking place on Sunday, June 5, the popular raft race begins at Kembhill Park in Kemnay and follows the River Don to the old Don Bridge in Inverurie. The team will be made up of local officers PC Pete McAndie and Craig Allan, joined by Chief Inspector Sue Maxwell.

Astrid Whyte, chief executive of MHA, said:

“The Aberdeen BTP team know all too well with the situations they face how helpless those with mental health difficulties can feel. We are here to let these people know that they do not have to suffer alone as help, advice and resources are available.

“The money that Peter and his colleagues raise will go a long way to helping us sustain this and continue helping people and I would like to thank them for choosing MHA as their charity of the year. Demand for our range of services is high and we want to be able to tackle this as quickly as we can, which can sometimes be difficult, particularly in the current climate.

“We are all looking forward to cheering them on in the raft race and building on this new partnership over the next year.”

To make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/RailCops

MHA was founded in 1950 and the organisation was among the first to provide community care with its first residential project, a group home for discharged psychiatric patients, opened more than 35 years ago. MHA has also been providing day services continuously for over 60 years.

Further information is available online at www.mha.uk.net

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Cycling Challenge Tops £1 Million For Charity

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 272016

With thanks to Clare Scott, Communications Consultant, CJS Communication.

A Coast to Coast cycling challenge organised by staff from BP has raised over £1 million for good causes over its eight-year
lifespan.
The eighth Coast to Coast challenge, which took place from 20-22 May, was the organisers’ largest yet with a firm focus on reaching the £1 million target.

Seventy current and former BP employees completed the 250-mile cycle, almost twice the amount who have taken part in previous years.

The number of charities who will benefit from the 2016 fundraiser was also increased from three to four, in recognition of the landmark year.

In its seven previous years, the challenge has raised £837,000, which includes matched funding from BP. The prospect of pushing the cumulative total into seven figures was a major driving force for the 2016 participants.

“Everyone really got into the spirit of the event, which was a vital ingredient for its success,” says Jon Turnbull, who has been involved from day one.

“The scale of this year’s challenge demanded considerable additional effort in terms of route planning, accommodation and transport.

“It was a wonderful team endeavour, involving hours of meeting time for our steering committee, in addition to the hours of training, preparation and fundraising that all of our cyclists commit to. We also owe a debt of gratitude to our support drivers and ASCO Transport for their part in getting our bikes across Scotland.”

Funds continue to come in for the 2016 challenge, which has already raised over £40,000 for each of this year’s beneficiary charities. They include MND Scotland, which supports people affected by motor neurone disease; mental health charity Support in Mind Scotland; children’s charity Charlie House and family support charity Home-Start Aberdeen. The charities are chosen by BP personnel and all have a local or personal connection.

“Our selection as a Coast to Coast beneficiary charity means a great deal to Home-Start Aberdeen,” says Georgette Cobban, scheme manager, Home-Start Aberdeen.

“We currently have a waiting list of city-based families who desperately need our support. These funds will be pivotal in helping us to recruit and train the additional volunteers we need to deliver this help.

“The Coast to Coast experience has also been wonderful in terms of allowing us to forge new links with the cyclists from BP and the other 2016 charities. I hope very much that these relationships can be nurtured and grown. Our thanks go out to everyone who has participated in or supported the 2016 challenge – and to BP for the incredibly generous matched funding.”

Charlie House is a new, locally based children’s charity which engages in activities and projects to support children with complex disabilities and life limiting conditions.

Lynn Batham, corporate and community fundraiser, Charlie House adds:

“We are extremely grateful to be one of the charities to benefit from this event. It will not only allow us to reach out to more families, offering them vital support when they need it, but it also gives us the invaluable opportunity of further exposure of Charlie House and what we do.”

Donations, which are doubled by BP, can still be made to the 2016 Coast to Coast challenge by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/c2c_8.

More information on the 2016 charities is available via their websites: www.mndscotland.org.uk, www.charliehouse.org.uk, www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk and www.homestartaberdeen.org.uk.

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New Event Planned For City Centre’s Roof Garden

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

May 272016

With thanks to Phil Moar, Account Manager, Citrus:Mix.

A unique new event is set to have Aberdeen’s freshest greenspace jumping for joy.

Big Bounce at Bon Accord takes place within the roof garden above the St Nicholas Centre on the weekend of June 25-26.

The enhanced area, which last year saw over £200,000 worth of improvements made to it, will see a total of nine inflatables installed throughout the course of the weekend, with the shopping centre appealing for both kids and big kids to join it on the day.

It’s one of a number of events planned that will utilise the garden’s space and bandstand throughout the summer months with a view to establishing the area as a go-to event location.

Big Bounce at Bon Accord will fall under the UK-wide One Great Day initiative and will this year raise funds for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity and Aberdeen-based CLAN Cancer Support.

Attendees will be able to purchase tokens on the day for use of the inflatables, with all profits raised being split between both causes. A range of music and entertainment will also add to the party atmosphere over the two days.

Craig Stevenson, centre manager at Bon Accord & St Nicholas, said:

“We’ve been busy devising a programme of events for within the roof garden in the summer months approaching and Big Bounce at Bon Accord is a main focus of this line-up.

“We’ve been looking to create a unique and different event that has the potential to become an annual occurrence and we think that our Big Bounce weekend fits the bill. We’re going to have nine inflatables installed over the two days – from bouncy castles to bungee runs – and we believe that this is the first time in the city that this amount has been in the same place at the same time; we’re really looking forward to welcoming people over the weekend!

“There is a fundraising element to the weekend, with both CLAN and Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity being supported, but we really just want people, both young and old, to come along and join us for a day of family fun.”

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said:

“CLAN is thrilled to again be involved with a Bon Accord & St Nicholas fundraising day. The support CLAN has had from the centre, its staff and those who shop within it has been so valuable to the charity over the last years and we simply can’t thank them enough for their efforts.

“We certainly haven’t come across an event of this type in Aberdeen before and we’re looking forward to what will be a fun-filled, worthwhile day.”

Schools are also being encouraged to take part in the weekend, with sponsorship packages available for classes to get involved. Participating classes will be assigned an hour session where they can come down and join in the fun. A prize for the class who raises the most money will also be awarded.

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Jo McCafferty Lemon Tree Date To Aid Charity: 11.06.16

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

May 192016

Jo McCafferty to play at The Lemon Tree in aid of the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

With thanks to Stuart Mitchell.

Acclaimed Aberdeen singer/songwriter Jo McCafferty will take to the stage of local venue the Lemon Tree on the 11th June in a rare local show in aid of the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Jo has been playing since she was a teenager, both solo and in various bands including Charlotte Says and Modern Uses for Velcro.

She released her first album ‘Nothing Whispered to Katy’ at 17 years old.

In 2001 she released the album Radiaxial, an album featuring many live favourites which seemed to capture a lot of people’s imagination, this led to a lot of interest from various musicians and led to a lot of support slots and for the next few years Jo toured the UK playing with artists as diverse as Midge Ure and Glenn Tilbrook, Marillion and Donnie Munro, playing venues from the Amsterdam Paradiso to Croydon’s Fairfield Halls via Glasgow Barrowlands.

In 2004 she also found time to record and release Papercuts and Lime, an acoustic album which won more praise and notice.

In 2005 Jo was invited to be a guest support for US Singer/Songwriter Amanda Palmers first solo gig in the UK, and she formed the Jo McCafferty Band to play the show. The band was a big success and has reformed several times since to play special shows. In 2006 she started work on her first full length full band album, eventually released in 2010.

In recent years since starting a family Jo has pulled back on live and recorded work, still finding time to do an occasional special guest spot for Joan Armatrading, Fish and Miles Hunt, as well as appearing as a special guest for Marillion at their fanclub convention in the Netherlands, an event attended by over 3,000 people from around the world.

For this rare show in aid of SAMH at the Lemon Tree on June 11th 2016, Jo has pulled together some well-known and respected faces from Aberdeen’s music scene to reimagine songs from throughout her career, from some old favourites, to new material, as well as some rarely heard gems.

Jo commented:

“It is lovely to be playing a full band gig in Aberdeen again, something I haven’t done for over 10 years and even better to be doing it in aid of the SAMH, a charity very close to my heart. It’s been great to revisit and reinterpret the older stuff and look ahead with some newer stuff, and it’s just incredible to be doing a home gig like this at one of my favourite venues.”

Support for the gig will be from highly rated local singer Craig John Davidson.

Tickets are available on: http://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/events/jo-mccafferty

And for further information on Jo or SAMH please see:
www.jomccafferty.com
www.samh.org.uk

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Langstane Press Name Their Charity Of The Year

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

May 162016

With thanks to Susan Wood.

Langstane Press Ltd, Scotland’s largest independent office products company have chosen Aberlour Children’s Charity as their charity of the year.
Langstane have regional offices located close to a number of Aberlour services and are keen to help the local communities in which Aberlour works.

To launch their partnership, Langstane began collecting books and Easter eggs.

The staff had a huge uptake and delivered many boxes of books to Aberlour Family Service in Old Aberdeen.

The local service supports children and their families where parents may have learning difficulties or be socially isolated as well as supporting families affected by parental drug and alcohol use. Enough books and eggs were collected to be spread across services in Aberdeen, Dundee and Moray.

Colin Campbell Managing Director at Langstane Press said:

“We are proud to be supporting Aberlour this year and being able to help, not just the local services within the Aberdeen area, but also the services that support the communities close to our regional offices in Dundee and Livingston”

As well as donations like the books and eggs Langstane will be supporting Aberlour throughout the year, through in-house fundraising activities, taking part in events and volunteering.

Lydia Fyall, Regional Fundraiser said:

“I am looking forward to working with Langstane this year, the staff all really care about the work that we do. A number of brave employees have put themselves forward for individual events already and staff across all sites have lots of great fundraising ideas.”

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John Hartson Visits CLAN Cancer Support In Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

May 132016

With thanks to Phil Moar, Account Manager, Citrus:Mix.

A leading north-east cancer support charity opened its doors to welcome a famous former footballer who himself has experienced his own cancer journey.
Aberdeen-based CLAN Cancer Support welcomed ex-Celtic, Arsenal and West Ham striker John Hartson to its CLAN House base on the city’s Westburn Road.

John took time out of his busy schedule to see first-hand the services and facilities the charity provides, speaking with CLAN clients and meeting some of the CLAN staff and volunteers who are based at the facility.

Diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 31, John formed his own charity, The John Hartson Foundation, in 2010, with the aim of increasing awareness of testicular cancer whilst helping raise money to support others affected by the illness.

The charity’s ‘Grab Life by the Balls’ campaign has continued to go from strength-to-strength, with males throughout the UK being shown a video featuring John sharing his own experience of testicular cancer alongside receiving advice and guidance on how they can check for early signs of the illness.

John Hartson said:

“Through my own experiences and work with The John Hartson Foundation I know how vital it is that people experiencing cancer have access to professional advice and support within their own communities.

“During my visit to CLAN I was impressed by the range of services provided by the organisation, across such a wide geographical area, and was pleased to be able to spend some time chatting with individuals the charity helps.”

Dr Colette Backwell, chief executive of CLAN Cancer Support, said:

“We were delighted to welcome John to CLAN House to see for himself the services, advice and information that we provide to our clients here in the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

“John’s cancer journey is inspiring and the work his foundation carries out in promoting the importance of checking for early signs of the illness is vital. Support from individuals like John helps us to continue to raise awareness of our services, especially to men, and for that we can’t thank John enough for his time with us.”

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

For further information about The John Hartson Foundation please visit www.johnhartsonfoundation.co.uk

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