Children Archives - Page 7 of 14

Families Of Deaf Children Share Experiences

Jan 142016

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

Deafness is no barrier to children achieving great things, parents will learn on a weekend course run by NCDS and funded by Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.

Parents will learn that deafness is no barrier to preventing their child achieving their dreams on a weekend course dedicated to providing peer support, expert advice and professional information for families getting to grips with a diagnosis.
Over 90% of deaf children in Scotland are from hearing families with no previous history or experience of deafness, so for many parents the diagnosis comes as a devastating and overwhelming shock.

Help is on hand from the National Deaf Children’s Society (NCDS) which, with a grant from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation, is organising a weekend gathering for 12 families with deaf babies or toddlers living in Scotland to share experiences and learn more about the help and support available to them.

From birth through to independence, the NCDS supports deaf children and young people but in the early years of a child’s development, it is parents who will need the charity the most. With the low incidence of deafness in Scotland, families often find themselves to be unique within their immediate communities, leading to feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

Heather Gray, NDCS director for Scotland and Northern Ireland explains:

“The NDCS Early Years weekends empower and inform parents at a crucial stage in their child’s development, and offer vital support and advice at a time when parents are still getting to grips with their child’s diagnosis.

“Families receive clear, unbiased information from audiology, education and from local sources of support over the course of the weekend, giving parents the opportunity to explore the options that are available to their child and ask the questions they have been unable to ask in busy everyday situations.

“Through receiving this information in a safe and relaxed environment, parents are able to gain an understanding of childhood deafness and develop a network of support which can assist them now and in the future.”

By bringing families together, parents have the opportunity to share their experiences and access vital peer support that can often exist far beyond the weekend itself. In addition, families also find reassurance in the shared experiences of parent volunteers, and inspiration and encouragement through speaking to young deaf role models.

The NCDS has its Scottish headquarters in Glasgow, and the families weekend, open to families from across Scotland with a deaf child from birth to two years old, will take place in Edinburgh in February 2016.

The impact of NDCS’ Early Years weekends is clear – all parents who attended weekends in 2014 said they felt more positive about their child’s future, and all agreed that the weekend helped them to make positive decisions and choices. 100% of families also felt more confident in working with professionals to ensure the right support for their child. Over the two days, families become informed, empowered and connected, three characteristics that stay with them long into the future.

One parent said:

“I have learned more about my child’s hearing loss in the past two days than I have in the past two months.’ It was eye opening to hear other people with similar or even more difficult circumstances. Great to share stories about struggles.”

Karin Hyland, of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said: “The weekend will help 12 families; enabling parents to become part of a positive community network of mutual self-support.

“Families will also be informed about access to services which encourage improved community relations, reduce isolation and improve peer support through this valuable outreach work by the NCDS.”

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Lump Sum To Help City Adoption Charity

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Dec 312015

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR

The St Andrew’s Children’s Society has been operating in Aberdeen since 2013.

A charity which plays a key role in maximising adoption opportunities for children in the North-east of Scotland has received support of £4,000 from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.
With more children in need of adoption than there are homes for them, The St Andrew’s Children’s Society plays a pivotal part in finding caring homes for children across Scotland.

Many of the 1,000 plus children in local authority care in Aberdeen and the North-east would benefit from adoption or long term fostering, and the Charitable Foundation donation will support the charity’s work to actively find potential adopters in the region.

Dan Docwra, fundraiser, for the St Andrew’s Children’s Society said:

“Our project builds upon excellent foundation work of our first two years in Aberdeen seeking potential adopters in the North-east whom we can prepare for the role of adoptive parents. This funding from Aberdeen Asset Management helps us do just that.

“We know that there are families and individuals who, with our training and preparation, would be ideal adoptive parents. Adopters come from all walks of life, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, marital status or sexual orientation. We would love to find more adopters in Aberdeen and if we can get the right people we can find a child or children for them.”

The charity which has been operating in Aberdeen since 2013 has moved into improved offices that are better suited for the holding of preparation training and the delivery of full after-adoption support, including its SafeBase Parenting Programme for parents experiencing relationship difficulties with children they have adopted. Its recruitment, training and placement programme is ongoing, only restricted by limited sources.

Dominic Kite of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said:

“As a fully functioning branch of the St Andrew’s Children’s Society, a vital service has been established in the North-east, helping to reduce the number of children in local authority care by providing loving and caring families.”

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

Anyone interested in more information about adoption opportunities should contact the St Andrew’s Children’s Society on 01224 878158 or email info@standrews-children.org.uk

Aberdeen Asset Management Reflects On Season Of Giving

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Dec 312015

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR

A host of worthy causes have been able to develop outreach work and support more people thanks to a helping hand from the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation which during 2015 has shared out well over £100,000 with a range of different projects working in Scotland.

The biggest single donation of 2015 was £17,203 to Befriend A Child to support underprivileged and vulnerable children living in Aberdeen for whom a troubled family life with drug and alcohol misuse, physical abuse and neglect is a daily reality.

The charity matches young people to an adult volunteer so positive childhood memories can be developed through a range of different experiences over the course of a year.

Venture Scotland helps some of the most disadvantaged young people in Scotland turn their lives around and received £15,000. The donation is for its Journey programme helping young people in Edinburgh to face up to the challenges holding them back and develop skills to overcome them.

The YMCA received £9,700 to support its Plusone programme for 8-14 year olds at risk of offending in Edinburgh. It offers one-to-one mentoring for children from the east end of city at a critical time in their lives, helping to divert them away from negative pathways to reduce the likelihood of them entering the children’s hearing system and to build positive relations, confidence and self-esteem.

HopScotch was able to provide 36 vulnerable children from deprived parts of Aberdeen and Edinburgh with an inspiring, educational and fun respite break with £9,000 from Aberdeen Asset Management.

With £8,433 the National Deaf Children’s Society is funding a weekend for 12 families with deaf babies or toddlers living in Scotland to share experience and learn more about the help and support available. The gathering, to be held in Edinburgh in February, offers vital support and advice at a time when parents are still getting to grips with their child’s diagnosis.

A cosier winter was in store for disadvantaged youngsters in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with a £7,500 donation to Cash for Kids in Aberdeen which went towards the purchase of warm winter clothing.

By pouring in £7,236 to the Teapot Trust, the Charitable Foundation has supported the provision of open group art therapy at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital for kids with chronic illness.

£6,600 to Lothian Autistic Society has gone to help its Fun and Friendship Project while £4,000 awarded to The Open Door in Edinburgh has supported those living with mental health problems and the elderly. Clan Childlaw Ltd gained £4000 towards its aim to make sure every young person in Scotland has access to legal advice.

The new Simeon Care centre for the Elderly in Aberdeen received a ‘moving in’ present as residents settle into the new care facility, with a grant of £7,000 being used towards purchasing new furniture for Simeon House.

Movie magic lit up the lives of sick kids after Aberdeen Asset Management donated £6,800 to the new Medicinema at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow to cover the costs of screening two cinema shows a week for a full month.

Rape and Abuse Support received £4,000 to help get a new project to support childhood rape and abuse survivors off the ground while the same amount was awarded to the St Andrew’s Children’s Society to maximise adoption opportunities for children in the North-east of Scotland.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said:

“We’ve been happy to give our support to these very worthy causes during 2015 and we look forward to continuing to support charitable organisations and projects in the areas where we operate, and where our staff live, in 2016.”

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. 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

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Festive Mission For AAM Appentices

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Dec 242015

Young staff at Aberdeen Asset Management L to R: Maja Omorczyk, Abigail Skene, Harry Rothnie, Raegan McBain and Rachel Adam.

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR.

Christmas is a time for giving and apprentices at Aberdeen Asset Management have been delighted to give their time in order to provide a brighter festive time for disadvantaged children in the North-east of Scotland.
Just like Santa’s elves at Christmas, they rolled up their sleeves to sort and bag parcels that will bring festive cheer to youngsters. And by taking part in Cash For Kids’ Mission Christmas Campaign, the young staff have made a meaningful contribution that will give joy to underprivileged families in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Statistics reveal that one in six children in the North-east are living in poverty, and the appeal aims to make Christmas morning special for disadvantaged children and young people, by asking people to give a gift at drop off points throughout the region.

A total of 10 Aberdeen-based apprentices and young colleagues have been among the volunteers that have been helping the 2015 appeal.

The public have generously responded to the call to donate gifts, and volunteers have uplifted donations, sorted them into age and gender categories, and selected gifts to match order requests coming in from schools and other organisations.

Charity manager Michelle Ferguson from the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal in Aberdeen said:

“We’re delighted that young staff and apprentices, who have study commitments and other responsibilities as they learn in the workplace, have been among our volunteers this year.

“This is a great way to encourage responsible citizenship, and all efforts for the campaign really do make a difference to the lives of families living in our local communities.

“Without volunteers we would not be physically able to do this and at a time when applications are up the public response have been fantastic. We thank all our supporters who have donated cash and gifts, and those who have volunteered.”

Collectively, Aberdeen Asset Management staff have given around 70 hours of hands-on support and were happy to devote their time to such a worthy cause, finding the numbers of families in need of help quite breath-taking.

Apprentice Harry Rothnie (18) said:

“It was great to see so many gifts and toys which were bought for those who are under privileged in both the City and Shire. Due to the generosity of the public, it will make Christmas Day an even more joyous and memorable occasion for parents and children this year.”

Fellow apprentice Maja Omarczyk (19) added:

“I volunteered to help Cash for kids Mission Christmas’ campaign as I wanted to give something back to the community. One thing that I definitely got out of this is that not all children can be as lucky as others, it is very sad to know that some children could have woke up on Christmas morning without any present to open, but thanks to the generosity of people and the amazing Mission Christmas campaign all children will be able to enjoy Christmas.

“I’m so happy that I was able to help and I will definitely do it again next year.”

Morven Hutcheon (19), customer services administrator, enjoyed getting involved and said: “It was a rewarding experience that made me think how lucky I actually am. Seeing how many toys generous people in our city have donated and to be given out to children across the North-east was a real eye opener. I didn’t realise how many children in my own area were living in poverty. I’ll definitely volunteer again next year.”

Apprentice Abigail Skene (19) was pleased to be able to give something back to her community and added:

“It’s so sad knowing that some children could wake up on Christmas with no presents to open, but thanks to the amazing Mission Christmas campaign, these children can wake up and enjoy Christmas with their families.”

Lynn Brown, from Aberdeen Asset Management’s learning and development team said that by volunteering for Mission Christmas, apprentices and young people were able to do something positive to help in their community over the festive season.

Lynn said:

“We’re proud of the contribution our apprentices make and this is another example of how our young employees make a positive impact, in this case outwith the workplace in a community project that helps bring happiness to the lives of children at Christmas time.”

Mission Christmas has around 150 drop-off points for donations located around the City and Shire and by the time Christmas comes the appeal will have responded to 5,500 applications for help – significantly up on last year’s figure of over 4,700.

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Reindeer Help Pull In Toys For Mission Christmas

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Dec 172015

With thanks to Ian McLaren, PR account manager, Innes Associates

A class of enterprising school children are set for Santa’s good list after raising money for Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas gift appeal by making and selling hot chocolate reindeer.

Primary 4/5 at Westhill Primary School made the festive hot chocolate gifts to sell at the school’s recent Christmas Fayre.

Calling themselves Rudolph’s Hot Choc Team, the pupils filled clear plastic piping bags with hot chocolate powder and mini marshmallows to create a festive gift that could be given as a Christmas present.

The bags were decorated to look like Santa’s most important reindeer, Rudolph. Brown pipe cleaners tied the top of the bags and doubled as antlers, while boggle eyes and a small red pompom were added to complete Rudolph’s iconic look. Their creative endeavours helped the class pull in a sackful of cash which totalled £230, with £150 of that being donated to the Mission Christmas appeal and the remainder going to school funds.

The youngsters were inspired to support the Mission Christmas appeal after learning that thousands of children living in the north-east might wake up on Christmas morning without a present to open.

Mission Christmas is an annual children’s gift appeal that is organised by Aberdeen-based children’s charity Cash for Kids and this year’s appeal is supported by The Wood Foundation. Cash for Kids expects to distribute toys and gifts to around 5,000 north-east children this year and will gift three items, totalling around £50, to each child.

The Westhill Primary pupils visited the town’s Tesco store this week to spend their cash to purchase toys and gifts for the appeal. Managers at the store were so impressed by the pupils’ fundraising that they decided to give the youngsters £100 of extra toys to donate to the appeal.

Michelle Ferguson, Cash for Kids charity manager, said:

“This was a fantastic initiative from primary 4/5 at Westhill Primary School. We can’t thank them enough for supporting the Mission Christmas appeal and I know that all the items they’ve chosen will be really appreciated by all the children who receive them.

“Without the support of the north-east public we would not be able to support the thousands of children each Christmas. The public’s generosity is incredible, whether it’s donating items or volunteering to help distribute gifts. This year we are struggling for suitable items to fill applications for children aged seven and upwards, so any gifts that fit that category would be really appreciated.”

Westhill Primary teacher, Claire Thomson, said:

“When the children heard about the Mission Christmas appeal and that so many children in the area might not get a present to open on Christmas morning they really wanted to help. They did a brilliant job coming up with the idea of creating the hot chocolate reindeer, making them and then selling them at the fayre. There are definitely a few aspiring entrepreneurs in the class.”

To bolster financial donations to the appeal the charity is staging a Christmas jumper day on Friday, 11 December. The money raised by the £1 donation from each person taking part will be used to purchase gift cards, toys and gifts in order to fill any gaps.

The final day for donating toys and gifts to the appeal is Friday, 18 December. Around 90 donation points – more than ever before – are located across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire where people can drop off a new, unwrapped gift. The gifts will then be distributed to those in need in time for Christmas.

More information on the appeal, including a full list of donation points and information on the Christmas jumper day, can be found at www.northsound1.com/missionchristmas.

Cash for Kids is Northsound Radio’s listeners’ charity. It makes grants to individuals, families, children’s groups, organisations and projects throughout the Northsound transmission area. All money is raised locally and spent locally to benefit local disabled and disadvantaged children and young people under 18. More information on Cash for Kids can be found at www.northsound1.com/charity, or telephone 01224 337010.

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Bumper Bonus For Befriend A Child Charity

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Dec 172015

A volunteer befriender and a youngster enjoying some time together.

With thanks to Eoin Smith.

Aberdeen may have a reputation for being one of the wealthiest cities in Scotland but for many children the daily reality is a troubled family life with drug and alcohol misuse, physical abuse and neglect.

The charity Befriend A Child struggles to meet the demand for its service supporting underprivileged and vulnerable children living in the Granite City – but thanks to a windfall of £17,203 from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation, it is now able to reach out to help more children in need.

Last year, the service supported over 300 children but with referrals coming from primary and secondary schools, medical practices, family centres and criminal justice system, in addition to social services, demand for places has shot up, stretching the charity’s financial capability and expanding its waiting list to more than 50 children.

After receiving the biggest single donation from Aberdeen Asset Management’s charity pot this year, an additional 32 children are benefiting from a one-to-one befriending relationship with an adult volunteer who will work with them over the course of a year to build positive childhood memories through a range of experiences.

Despite its image of affluence and wealth, statistics published in October show that 18% of children in Aberdeen are on the child poverty index. As a result of their living conditions and environment, these children often suffer from low self-esteem, behavioural problems, poor communication and social skills and statistically under-achieve academically.

Befriend A Child enables children, aged between 4 and 16, to benefit from a positive adult role model with whom they share activities in a safe and neutral environment to help build confidence and self-esteem. This also reduces social isolation as well as providing opportunities to develop new life skills and interests while reducing exposure to drug and alcohol misuse and domestic violence in the family home.

Volunteer befrienders meet with their matched child on a fortnightly basis and spend 3-4 hours at a time enjoying a wide range of activities based on the interests of the children, such as attending football matches, going for a walk along the beach, swimming or reading a book together.

Evaluation shows positive outcomes, with children in a befriending relationship gaining greater confidence and improved self-esteem through being given the opportunity to take part in childhood activities previously denied to them. This, in turn, helps them to fulfil their potential, letting them see the alternative lifestyle they can achieve.

Feedback from parents is positive too: 25% noted an increase in their child’s confidence; 53% said their child was happier and 56% said their child’s self-esteem had improved at the end of a year’s befriending.

This year, one former volunteer befriender was contacted by the young boy she had befriended over 20 years earlier and who is now a grown man. He got in touch with her by email to express his gratitude for her kindness, patience and warmth saying it had a positive impact on his life.

The man, now in his 30s, said:

“Things have changed slightly since we last met! I’m now in a steady job… working in the oil and gas sector and living in Bangkok at the moment. I just wanted to say thank you for the time you gave me from your own life. When I look back on my childhood, the most prominent memories are the times I spent with you. The swimming, baking in your apartment, your smile, kindness and good nature are still very memorable to me.

“I hope you’re doing well at your end and you’re living a very happy life. People like yourself are few and far (between), deserving the best life has to offer. Thank you for every second of your time, you helped shape me into the man I have become, and yet to become!”

Befriend A Child is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2015 and the donation from Aberdeen Asset Management to support 32 new one-to-one befriending relationships for a year will cover the cost of outings, travel expenses and collecting children and taking them back home.

Lana Bambridge, resources and development manager for Befriend A Child said:

“This donation from the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation will have a significant impact on children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who are growing up in difficult circumstances and in need of a positive role model. As we strive to help these children realise their full potential in life, we are extremely grateful for this generous donation.”

Dominic Kite of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said:

“This is the biggest single donation awarded from our Charitable Foundation in 2015. It recognises the value of the work undertaken by Befriend A Child in Aberdeen and the surrounding area, and goes some way to helping the charity meet the continuing need to provide befriending support for an increasing number of children in the community who are referred to the service.”

The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation seeks to give back to 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. 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.

Other Scottish projects to benefit from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation in the past 12 months include:

Aberdeen and North-east Scotland – Cash For Kids Appeal to provide winter clothing for disadvantaged children in Aberdeen; The Teapot Trust’s open group art therapy for kids with chronic illness at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital; Simeon Care Home for the Elderly towards the purchase of furnishings for its new care home; St Andrew’s Children’s Society in support of its work to find potential adoptive parents in the North-east and Rape And Abuse Support Aberdeen for a new support group for survivors of childhood rape and abuse.

Edinburgh – HopScotch which enabled disadvantaged young people living in Edinburgh the chance to go on inspiring and fun respite break in the Highlands; the Lothian Autistic Society to support a fun and friendship project; The Open Door Edinburgh assisting those living with mental health problems and the elderly; Venture Scotland to help disadvantaged young people turn their lives around through its Journey Programme; YMCA Edinburgh in support of its PlusOne Mentoring programme for 8-14 year olds at risk of offending and The National Deaf Children’s Society to run a weekend get together for families of deaf children.

National – Medicinema cinema screenings at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow and Clan Childlaw Limited to help every young person in Scotland gain access to legal advice.

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

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Santa Claus Arrives In Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Nov 262015

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

He has made the long journey from the North Pole and is now ready to spread festive magic in Aberdeen.

Santa Claus and his helpers have set up their new home from home in the Bon Accord centre, and their winter wonderland grotto will be open to the public from tomorrow (Saturday November 21).

For the first time in the mall’s history, all proceeds from the winter grotto will be donated to charity partner CLAN Cancer Support, which has helped organise the festive event.

The shopping mall’s support of CLAN is the latest in a host of events and activities that it has completed on behalf of the charity after it selected it as its chosen cause for the year.

Santa will be in his grotto ready to meet children and their families between 10am and 4pm on Saturday (November 20) and Sunday (November 21), as well as November 27-29,December 5-6, 12-13 and 19-24.

Santa’s Grotto – located on the upper mall of the Bon Accord Centre – holds pride of place in a snow filled seasonal scene. Children are invited to visit the centre to meet Santa and receive a gift from the man in red.

Craig Stevenson, manager of Bon Accord & St Nicholas, said:

“The centre has a fantastic relationship with CLAN and we are delighted that proceeds from our Santa’s Grotto will go towards the invaluable work they carry out throughout the north-east.

“Santa and his elves have been very busy getting ready and are looking forward to meeting families in the run-up to Christmas. At Bon Accord & St Nicholas we work hard to make the festive period an enjoyable one for shoppers in our malls and what better way is there to get into the Yuletide spirit than by visiting Santa.

“Children are already getting involved with helping decorate the grotto’s walls through our festive picture drawing competition, which we have had a great response to. We are all looking forward to what is naturally our busiest time of the year – and we are sure Santa will be the star of the show.”

Colette Backwell, chief executive of CLAN, said:

“Bon Accord & St Nicholas have given us tremendous support this year and we are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with them on Santa’s Grotto.

“The festive season is an exciting and busy time for all of us at CLAN, and we are looking forward to playing our part in helping out at the Santa’s Grotto. I am sure those visiting the grotto in the build-up to Christmas will thoroughly enjoy it.

“We are so grateful to the people of the north-east, who are supportive of our efforts throughout the year, and we hope they take the time to pop along, meet Santa and help us continue our crucial work by making a donation.”

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Pass The Parcel Kicks Off Children’s Gift Appeal

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Nov 192015

With thanks to Ian McLaren, PR account manager, Innes Associates

Mission Christmas launch - Michelle Ferguson, Cash for Kids, and Garreth Wood, The Wood Foundation

Michelle Ferguson, Cash for Kids charity manager, and Garreth Wood, trustee of The Wood Foundation launch the appeal.

North-east children’s charity Cash for Kids has launched its annual Mission Christmas gift appeal, which this year is being supported by The Wood Foundation, Sir Ian Wood’s philanthropic charity.

Mission Christmas, the festive campaign of Aberdeen-based charity Cash for Kids, aims to ensure that all children in the north-east will wake up with presents to open on Christmas morning.

An estimated one in six children in Aberdeen City live in poverty, and many of their parents will struggle to afford to purchase presents for them this Christmas.

The appeal was officially launched this year by local philanthropist and trustee of The Wood Foundation, Garreth Wood, who sent a giant parcel off on the first leg of an enormous pass the parcel campaign, encouraging north-east residents to buy an extra gift or make a cash donation to the appeal this Christmas.

Last year, through the generosity of the north-east public, Cash for Kids distributed more than 14,000 gifts to 4,738 underprivileged children, ensuring they got to unwrap special parcels on Christmas morning. The total value of items donated was in excess of £210,000, with many businesses choosing to support the appeal.

Cash for Kids expects to receive a similar number of applications for presents this year. It will once again aim to ensure that every child brought to its attention – from new-borns to 18-year-olds – will receive a gift.

In order to fulfil all applications, Cash for Kids is asking members of the public to purchase an extra toy or gift for the appeal when doing their own Christmas shopping. Vouchers for shopping centres are also encouraged, particularly for teenagers who enjoy the freedom to choose a much longed for treat for themselves. Cash donations are also welcome, which the charity will then use to purchase items to fill any gaps.

This year, around 80 donation points – more than ever before – have been set up across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire where people can drop off a new, unwrapped gift until Friday, 18 December. The gifts will then be distributed to those in need in time for Christmas.

The demand for items, and the subsequent overwhelming response from the public, has led to Mission Christmas outgrowing its existing headquarters. A new larger distribution facility is this year being provided by Dunlop Oil and Maine. Local haulage firm Colin Lawson Transport will be providing the logistical support for a fifth year. This year, the firm is providing a dedicated vehicle and driver to collect the gifts from the donation points.

Michelle Ferguson, Cash for Kids charity manager, said:

“The response every year from north-east residents to the Mission Christmas appeal is incredible. Without their support and that of our volunteers it wouldn’t be possible to achieve what we do. We anticipate demand for gifts to again be high this year as a result of the local economic climate, so will be doing all we can to ensure that demand is met.

“Last year we received donations through some very creative means, including one from a 12-year-old girl who had saved up 50 prizes she had won throughout the year at Codona’s and donated them to the appeal. Some people also redeem their store card points or use three for two offers to purchase items at little or no cost.

“For those looking to raise money to support the appeal, we are running a Christmas jumper day on Friday, 11 December. It’s a fun festive way to get involved in Mission Christmas.”

Sir Ian Wood, chairman of The Wood Foundation, said:

“To know that there are children, right now, living in the North-East of Scotland who may not experience the excitement of receiving a special gift on Christmas morning is incredibly sad. In Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, poverty is often not as apparent as in other parts of Scotland, with the result it often goes unrecognised and unaddressed.

By supporting the work Cash for Kids do with the Mission Christmas appeal, The Wood Foundation hopes that every child across the North-East will feel the magic of Christmas this year.”

More information on the appeal, including a full list of donation points and information on the Christmas jumper day, can be found at www.northsound1.com/missionchristmas.

Cash for Kids

The Wood Foundation

The Wood Foundation is a proactive venture philanthropy funder, focusing on creating economic activity to help people help themselves, providing business development and capacity support, in addition to funding. The team is located in East Africa and in Scotland.

The Wood Foundation, Scottish Registered Charity No. SCO37957, was established in March 2007 by Sir Ian Wood and his immediate family. The Wood Foundation invests into three portfolios of activity: Making Markets Work for the Poor – Sub Sahara Africa, Facilitating Economic & Education Development in Scotland, and Developing Young People in Scotland.

The Executive Chairman of The Wood Foundation is Sir Ian Wood and The Trustees are: Sir Ian Wood, Lady Helen Wood, Garreth Wood and Graham Good. For further information please visit: www.thewoodfoundation.org.uk.

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Charitable Foundation Supports ChildHope

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Nov 162015

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR.

Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation has selected ChildHope as its fourth emerging markets charity partner.

The Foundation has made a three year commitment, with an initial six-figure donation, to ChildHope.

ChildHope was established in 1989 and grew out of the recognition of the huge and growing but neglected problem of children living and working on the streets of Africa, Asia and South America.

Over the last twenty years, the charity has been working to develop long lasting solutions aimed at tackling the root causes of the poverty and the injustice faced by children around the world.

Aberdeen’s support will focus on the regions immediately surrounding Lima, Peru where despite rapid economic development within the city, around a third of children live on less than $2 a day.

Many of these children are subject to violence in schools, where despite national policy, they are often chastised by teachers using sticks, belts or ropes. The project aims to create safer school environments in eight schools. It will identify those children within the schools that are most at risk of educational underachievement and support them with additional supportive educational sessions.

In total, the project is estimated to benefit 7,300 children who will pass through these schools over the term of Aberdeen’s partnership, as well as having associated impact on 400 teachers and 4,500 parents.

Anne Richards, Chief Investment Officer of Aberdeen Asset Management and Chairman of the Foundation, comments:

“Aberdeen has a significant presence in Latin America and so I am delighted that employees globally have chosen to support ChildHope. Education plays a crucial role in the development of society so the charity will have an impact not only on the children but the country as a whole.”

ChildHope UK’s Executive Director Jill Healey said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as Aberdeen Asset Management’s next emerging markets charity partner. By working together we can fundamentality transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Peru and give them a chance for a better future.’’

ChildHope becomes the fourth emerging markets charity partner to be supported by the Foundation, alongside ABC Trust, SeeBeyondBorders and AfriKids.

The Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop Aberdeen’s charitable giving strategy. It has two main themes:

Emerging Markets – Aberdeen has committed to develop a number of strategic partnerships with charities tackling the educational needs of disadvantaged young people in emerging markets. Each year, an emerging market is selected by the Foundation’s Board and employees have the opportunity to vote for a project in that country which will receive support for a three year period.

Local Communities – To complement this international focus, each Aberdeen office around the world has established its own charity committee, whose remit is to manage local giving activities and to promote volunteering.

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Charity Funds Holiday Respite For Vulnerable Children

Aberdeen City, Articles No Responses »

Nov 062015

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR

Disadvantaged children living in Aberdeen and Edinburgh have enjoyed well-deserved breaks – some going on the first holiday of their lives – through funding from the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation.

Scottish children’s charity HopScotch secured £9,000 from the firm’s Charitable Foundation to enable 36 children to enjoy a total of 180 days of respite at its holiday centre in Ardvullin in the Scottish Highlands.

A dozen children each from three organisations – Edinburgh Women’s Aid, Aberdeen’s Middlefield Community Project and Waverley Care in Edinburgh – were selected for the much-needed breaks allowing them to spend time in safe and secure surroundings while escaping the stresses of home life and gaining and building confidence, in a caring and supportive environment.

Waverley Care works with children who are living with, and affected by, HIV/Hepatitis C in Edinburgh. Many of the families struggle to take youngsters on holiday due to poor health and financial constraints. Children live in stressful situations and often act as carers to their parents/younger siblings and rarely get the chance to socialise or form friendships.

Middlefield Community Project is based in an area of multiple deprivation in Aberdeen, in the top five of Scotland’s most deprived areas. Families suffer as a result of parental drug or alcohol misuse, severe poverty, domestic violence, parental health issues and neighbourhood disputes. Many young children are left to fend for themselves, often playing in the streets at night.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid provides practical and emotional support to those who have been, or are, experiencing domestic abuse and many of the children will have witnessed abuse or even been abused themselves. Recovery is a lengthy process for some and an opportunity for a respite break is very beneficial in very many ways.

At Ardvullin the children try a range of activities like horse riding, canoeing and indoor climbing, boat trips, biking and visiting the beach.

One youngster who went to Ardvullin said:

“I loved my Hopscotch holiday and didn’t want to leave.

I did lots of exciting things like hill climbing, walking in the forest, canoeing and lots more. I loved the big, massive swing park out the back garden. My favourite part was when I made it to the top of the hill and the snow was really, really deep.”

The Edinburgh-based charity’s 2015 programme has provided around 350 children with a respite break at Ardvullin and this year HopScotch has worked with organisations from the Highlands, Ayrshire, Strathclyde, Perthshire, Tayside, Lanarkshire, Midlothian and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire to identify those children most in need.

HopScotch manager Roberta Mckay said that the support given by the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation had allowed children – many of whom have never been to the countryside or the seaside before – a chance to have a break away from their problems in a safe and secure environment. For children who are young carers, it may be the first chance of respite from their caring responsibilities.

Roberta commented:

“Good childhood memories last a lifetime. We are so grateful for the support of Aberdeen Asset Management during 2015 which helps our work to continue in providing free respite break for Scotland’s most vulnerable children.”

Karin Hyland of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said:

“HopScotch holidays provide something which every child should be entitled to – the chance to enjoy a carefree break in a safe and caring environment where they can make new friends, have fun and experience the beauty of the countryside.”

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

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