Dec 112014
 

Dominic Kite representing Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation and five year old Ben McCartneyWith thanks to Beverly Tricker.

A Cosier Christmas is to be delivered to even more children living in poverty, with the Coats for Kids appeal receiving a second sizeable slice of funding from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.

AAM’s latest donation of £7,500 sees its support for the winter campaign rise to £37,500 and means that hundreds of boys and girls in need will beat the cold with new warm outfits.

But in order to match a surge of late requests for assistance that have come flooding in from agencies and professionals working with families in need, there remains a £4,400 shortfall.

If that sum can be raised, then a total of 612 children living across the North-east will benefit this winter.

Emma Kemp of Cash For Kids is appealing to other businesses to show some seasonal spirit by donating to the cause.

Emma says:

“We’ve been a victim of our own success. After people heard about Coats for Kids in the media, after the very generous donation of £30,000 made by Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation last month, we had a flood of enquiries from support workers, groups and organisations working with families that are struggling financially.

“We did not foresee this demand, and we’re really pleased to receive a second award of £7,500 from the AAM Charitable Foundation which is enabling us to help more families.

“If there is any other business out there that could help us reach our target, it would be a great gesture to make at this time of year.

“If you’d like to be the business that helps us fulfil our remaining applications then please get in touch.”

Cash for Kids has seen a huge increase in applications for essential clothing for children living in poverty in the Aberdeen area. Many local families have to choose between buying food, heating their home and purchasing essential clothing.

Every penny donated to the cause is spent wisely with a deal being struck with a national retailer to ensure that the money stretches as far as possible. Sturdy boots, a cosy coat and socks are among the essential items provided and this means that children don’t have to go to school in cold weather without having suitable clothing.

All children helped are identified via support workers, groups and organisations who work closely with families that are struggling with money.

The feedback from those working with the families that have already received new clothing highlights the big difference the support makes. Not only does it mean parents don’t have to choose between clothing their child and other essentials, but the children have a sense of pride in having a new outfit to wear.

Dominic Kite ( pictured above with 5 year old Ben McCartney), representing Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation says,

“Our donation totalling £37,500 is the largest single amount to be given from our Charitable Foundation which seeks partnerships with charities where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact.

“Cash For Kids work with professionals, organisations and other local children’s charities to make sure that the children who really need help and support can get it.”

To support the Coats for Kids appeal contact Emma on 01224 337010 or email emma.kemp@northsound.co.uk

The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. In Aberdeen, donations have been made to several local charities including sums of £10,000 each to Cash for Kids, to fund a breakfast club for 12 months, to Friends of ANCHOR for the Gene Machine appeal and £25,000 to the ARCHIE for Skype technology at Aberdeen Royal Children’s Hospital.

Jul 312014
 

With thanks to Martyn Smith.Mike Ward GTM

Grampian Transport Museum needs a helping hand. The award winning museum has followed an annually updated development programme for the past three decades in order to remain topical, relevant and popular. Recently it has been agreed that the whole visitor reception experience needs a radical rethink.

Like a good hotel GTM needs an area where visitors can arrive, take stock, get their bearings and be introduced to the experience to follow.

To answer this need a new reception extension has been designed that can accommodate an introduction to the seasonal exhibitions mounted at GTM and also the various activities possible at the museum. For example for the first time the museum’s work with schools, heritage skills and the GTM Young Engineers Club will be showcased.

Customer comfort will be upgraded to exceed expectations with a new superloo and coffee and magazine area in a light airy modern structure fronted by a portico carried on salvaged cast iron piers.

The GTM is a self financing educational charity. In revenue terms it is self sustaining at little or no cost to the public purse but when capital projects are to be funded outside help is needed. A fundraising campaign was launched at the museum on 26th June to raise the £320,000 needed to build the new facility. Last Friday, the museum passed the £100,000 mark; the six figure barrier is broken.

However if the museum is to build the facility this Winter as planned the total sum needs to be secured in the next eight weeks. Planning permission has been secured well in advance to ensure that this is possible.

To date funds have come from a number of supportive companies and individuals. The first to commit was BP who are supportive of the museum’s educational programmes.

The GTM is already a highly rated local facility but anyone wishing to help it to take a big step forwards should contact the Curator, Mike Ward on curator@gtm.org.uk or by ‘phoning 019755 62292. Mike will be happy to explain the proposals in detail and also the attractive reciprocations offered to supporters.

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May 232014
 

the Yules after the walk photo by s kellyBy Suzanne Kelly.

Over 70 people and their pet pooches set out on a pleasant sponsored walk in Hazelhead Park on Sunday 18 May.

When they completed their 5km journey, they had raised some £5,500 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Pauline MacRonald, one of the organisers commented:

“The Aberdeen Fundraising Group is a new branch of LLR in the North East, and this was our first major event. We got a really great turn out, and it was fantastic to see so many two legged and four legged supporters for the charity.  Our main aim is to raise as much awareness as possible, so we’ll definitely be doing it again.”

Walkers were sponsored by friends, relatives and co-workers to complete the 5km walk through Hazelhead Park. The gentle exercise culminated with participants receiving a medal and goodie bag, and relaxing at the park’s cafe with cold drinks.

One man, Neil, had only been out of stem cell and chemotherapy treatment for 6 weeks when he went on the walk; his story and his effort inspired many of us. The dogs were all well behaved, with the exception of one adorable but cheeky golden retriever, Whisky, which jumped in every muddy puddle it could find.

Another of the organisers, Emma Boffey commented:

“I would just like to thank everyone who took part to raise vital funds to beat blood cancers. It was a great day, superb weather and the dogs for our paws to beat blood cancer also had a splendid time! At Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research we believe that life is a gift to be used wisely and lived fiercely and we won’t stop until we have beaten blood cancer.”

a walker gets  his medal photo by s kellySome people spent weeks raising funds; some heard about the event and just came along.

One woman named Frances was visiting the area and only heard of the walk on the day; she said how much she enjoyed this kind of community event.

Walkers James and Anne Yule (pictured top right) enjoyed a well-deserved sit down after completing the walk.

James said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed it; it’s a great cause and I hope they raise heaps and heaps of money.”   

For a first event for this new local group, the day was a huge success.

Join the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research community Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Your contribution really will make a difference to the lives of the 30,000 people diagnosed every year with a blood cancer. beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

Read more:

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Your contribution really will make a difference to the lives of the 30,000 people diagnosed every year with a blood cancer. beatingbloodcancers.org.uk www.beatingbloodcancers.org.uk info@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

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May 092014
 

Walking_22With thanks to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Join us at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen and enjoy a splendid walk through the the park, whilst enjoying the view of all its beauty. Dog lovers are most welcome for our Paws to Beat Blood Cancer. You can walk in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a life saved or simply for a great day out!

This lovely walk leads through the nurseries and den wood, where you can take in all its splendour.

The walk starts at Hazlehead Park, Hazelhead Avenue, Aberdeen, AB15 8HB.

Registration / Sign In opens at 10.00 am with the dog walk starting at 10.30 am and the
walk starting at 11 am.

The Pre-registration fee until 11pm on Thursday 15th May, for adult walkers is £10, under 12s are just £5,

dog & owner is £15. For a discounted price of £25 for the family, simply register two adults and two children using the online registration form and your discounted price will be calculated at the end.

Registration fees on the day will be £15 for adults, £5 for under 12s, dog & owner £20 and a Family of 2 adults and 2 children will be £30.

Families are very welcome to bring their dog using the family price above.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is a leading UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

See more at: http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/event/walking

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Apr 252014
 

With thanks to Suzanne Kelly.

ALL_SHAPES_FINAL_CS_SQ2 North 4 South is a fundraising event to raise money for individuals with learning disabilities in Aberdeen.

On the 31st of May & the 1st of June, a group of around 70 people will be walking non-stop, or with minimum stops, from Fraserburgh to Aberdeen over 24 hours.
The money they raise will be used to provide ‘fun’ for learning disabled people, such as musical instruments, movies, arts & crafts materials, and so on.

One of the organisers, Frederick Sarran commented about people with learning disabilities in our area, saying:-

 “We, All Shapes And Sizes (ASAS), believe they need more than just ‘care’.”

 The charity’s Facebook charity page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/asascharity; its aims are set out as:

 “Our aim is to enrich the lives of ALD’s by promoting social inclusion by means of outings and activities such as Arts and Crafts and more.”

Many of those doing the walk work with people with learning disabilities, young and old, but anyone who is up to the challenge is welcome to get in touch with the organisers and join in.

ASAS sets out its principles on its website:

 “Our vision is to enhance life of Adults with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties (ALD) and mental health issues by promoting social inclusion to those individuals and to raise awareness & understanding to the public. By enhancing their lives & sense of wellbeing is to become a valued member of society via inclusion in all things.

 “We aim to use a person centred approach directly to one individual and/or within a group, in order to aid & help facilitate crafts, arts, outings and other future activities within Balnagask Court (Aberdeen) and in the wider community. To enhance a sense of personal well being is to educate with a therapeutic approach and fun means, this results in building trust and confidence.

“Our values are to treat all individuals with respect and courtesy regardless of colour, gender, religion, etc… We act with dignity & care in a non-judgmental way towards all individuals, no matter of the level of difficulties they may have. Those values also apply towards each other members of All Shapes And Sizes.

  “Our goals are to branch out and liaise with other charities sharing our values, for the good of all Adults with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties and mental health service users within the wider community. We aim to introduce further activities and continuous improvements to Balnagask Court communal area.”

There is a Facebook page for the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/237388926444110/
Tickets for the event are available here: http://asascharity.org/buy-tickets-for-2-north-4-south/

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Nov 282013
 
IMG-20131120-00123

A group of pupils from Ellon Academy deliver a cheque for £3000 to RAS

Rape and Abuse Support (RAS) would like to congratulate pupils at Ellon Academy and Kemnay Academy who have successfully secured funding of £4,330 for the local charity.

RAS provides support and advocacy to female survivors of sexual violence, whether recent or historical, as well as challenging public attitudes towards rape through outreach work and they were delighted to be chosen by pupils taking part in the Youth Philanthropy Initiative at Ellon Academy and Kemnay Academy.

As part of the initiative, both groups visited the charity’s base in Aberdeen to find out about the organisation and presented their findings to a panel, fielding tough questions about their research.

The group at Ellon Academy dazzled the judges with their in depth knowledge of the issues tackled by the charity, securing the top prize of £3,000 – sponsored by the Wood Group and the Toscan Castle Foundation.

The panel at Kemnay Academy were so impressed with the calibre of the presentation delivered by the group representing RAS that Aramark Workplace Solutions offered to match funds raised by them during a no uniform day, raising £1,330.

Chair of RAS, Kathryn Russell said:

“I would like to congratulate the pupils at Ellon and KemnayAcademy on securing this funding. We are delighted to accept the donations secured by both groups.

“Donations like these are vital for charities like ours, as it allows us to put the money towards initiatives which we know will enhance the service we already provide. We are currently developing our volunteer base in Aberdeenshire and we are hoping to open a drop-in for survivors next year and unrestricted funding like this helps support such initiatives.”

Alayne Jones, Centre Co-ordinator at RAS attended both events to listen to the groups presentations. She said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with the young people and I was thrilled to see how interested they were in the work we do.

“I would like to thank them for all their hard work on behalf of RAS and I hope that they will continue to raise awareness of the work we do.”

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Sep 262013
 

With thanks to Aimee Dominick.

wbcmcows480

An Aberdeen pharmacy is set to embrace the spirit of the Great British Bake Off in support of a national cancer charity. Clear Pharmacy on Alford Place is taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support on Friday 27 September.

In exchange for a small donation customers can enjoy hot and cold drinks and delicious baked goods which will be served from 8am to 6pm. The pharmacy will also be offering free blood pressure testing and diabetes checks throughout the day, as well as all regular pharmacy services.

Local businesses including Chalmers Bakery and The Eatery will donate a selection of cakes and tray bakes which have been well tested by the pharmacy staff in the past! Ruth Milne, a dispenser at Clear Pharmacy, said:

“We’re all looking forward to turning the pharmacy into a café for the day, and getting to know our customers a bit better while raising money for a good cause.”

One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people with cancer, providing medical, emotional, practical and financial support to those affected by the disease to help them have the strength and energy to fight it.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, an annual event taking place since 1990, has grown to be one of the charity’s biggest fundraisers, taking in £15 million last year.

Donating to Macmillan will allow the charity to help the two million people living with cancer in the UK today. £25 pays for a Macmillan nurse to help a family affected by cancer for 1 hour, allowing them to fight for the best care for their patient.

Pharmacist Kelly MacDonald said:

“We’ll be accepting donations throughout the day and have also set up a JustGiving page to try and raise as much money as possible. We have already raised £280, and hope to raise even more on Friday.

“Everyone is welcome to join us for some cake and coffee in support of Macmillan.”

Clear Pharmacy is based on Alford Place and will be hosting the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning from 8am-6pm on Friday 27 September. Donations can be made in store or online at www.justgiving.com/clearpharmacyaberdeen.

Sep 192013
 

Worthy winners of the inaugural AFC Heritage Trust Quiz Night Trophy were 5-man Section Y Boo Boys, whose total recall of significant Dons dates, results, scorers, donkeys, trophy successes and cup humiliations triumphed over stiff competition last Friday at the Menzies Hotel, reports David Innes.

AFC Heritage Trust“We started well, but it was obviously the half time stovies that drove us on to a sweet victory,” Boo Boys’ member Andre Watson-Oudabar told Voice, taking time off from the Dunkelweiss-fuelled celebrations in Drummonds.
“We’re fair trickit that we won. Obviously the boys have long held the ambition to be fitba quiz top dogs in town and we now feel that we can literally kick on to even greater glory and that elusive Ayr United Quiz Night trophy will hopefully be ours next February.”

“As I said, the boys have literally been flying in training and Jannie’s been answering the trickiest and most convoluted test questions for fun. And pints.

“There’s been a good feeling in the camp and I think we peaked at the right time. Our skipper Pensive has put his new sharpness down to his cutting out the fags and in light of such dedication I think I speak for all the boys and say that we did it for him.

“We’re hoping to round off this career highlight with a victory parade down Union Street atop a cooncil gritter. Funnily enough there was no question on this vital part of the Dons’ history in the quiz and our diligent Leatherdale-based preparations for questions on The Cappielow Incident were also in vain.”

Twelve teams took part with the Trust’s own team Turnbull’s Relics, close runners-up although they were cruelly depleted by a player loss as the transfer window slammed shut, ten minutes before kick-off.

The award for best team name was won by Ian Black’s Dodgy Betting Slip and the ‘prize’ for finishing last, four cans of supermarket own-brand lager (mmmmm…) was taken by My Wife Can’t Wrestle But You Should See Her Box, who, if they had any taste buds, would have dumped them in the hotel skip as they left.

Thanks are due to all participants who made it such an entertaining night out, to patient quizmaster and auctioneer Dave Macdermid, to Bob Bain for organising the evening, keeping score and deriving a list of incisive and frustrating questions, and to everyone who donated raffle prizes and auction items.

The final reckoning has yet to be tallied but Trust treasurer Bob Bain is confident that the coffers have been replenished to a healthy level after some major outlays recently. With competitive appetites whetted too, the Trust intends to hold this event annually.

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Sep 112013
 

Aberdeen FC Heritage Trust is an independent charitable organisation working closely with the club. It aims to care for and expand the Dons historical record for the benefit of fans, the NE community and the Dons diaspora.

AFC Heritage TrustThe Trust was founded in 2008 and has since been gathering artefacts and historical data to be preserved for future generations.

A collection of programmes, player shirts, medals and other fascinating memorabilia is growing steadily. In the longer term the Trust will be given the task of laying out, populating and managing a Museum and Learning Centre in the new stadium.

Funding is essential to continue these efforts, and the Trust is hosting a charity fundraising Quiz Night, based on the Dons history, on Friday 13 September.

Arrival time at the Menzies Hotel, Dyce is 1900 for a 1930 start and the entertainment should conclude around midnight.

Entry is £100 per team of 5 members. Anyone wishing to attend but not participate in the quiz will be charged £20.

There will be a raffle and an auction and a buffet will be provided during the interval. We hope that some former players will join us.

Thanks to Allan McKimmie, Chairman, Aberdeen FC Heritage Trust

Dons Heritage Trust Fundraiser

Friday 13 September at 1900.
Menzies Hotel,
Dyce,
Aberdeen.

Aug 302013
 
Stonehaven Harbour Festival Duncan Harley 115

The public turn out in record numbers for the Stonehaven Harbour Festival.

Over 2000 folk attended Sunday’s Stonehaven Harbour Festival and with sunny calm seas it looked to be a record day for the festival’s organisers, reports Duncan Harley.

Community groups and fundraisers, including Stonehaven Sea Cadets, RNLI, Newtonhill Pipe Band and HM Coastguard, had put together an exciting programme to help raise funds for a new Kidney Dialysis Unit at Kincardine Community Hospital.

The Bon Accord lifeboat was present and Mackie Academy FPs Rugby Club provided entertainment and laughs as both adults and children were encouraged to chuck some very wet sponges at the players.

The Festival’s organisers were Stonehaven and District Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Stonehaven and Stonehaven Round Table. The event was supported by several local sponsors including Survival Craft Inspectorate who recently took over the harbour’s MRI building and delivered advice and practical resources.

Despite some late afternoon fog, the day was a resounding success and the organisers intend to repeat it next year.

Following the disastrous flooding in the town in the recent past, the festival was intended as a means of celebrating what Stonehaven has to offer and as a tribute to the community effort which has put the town back on to its feet.

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