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A UNIQUE CELEBRATION OF ABERDEEN’S THIRD SECTOR

Aberdeen’s charities, social enterprises and volunteering organisations will take to the streets next summer in a unique celebratory parade right through the heart of the city.

Taking place on Saturday 11 June 2011, Celebrate Aberdeen will see fellow organisations unite in a spectacular display of energy, song and dance to raise awareness of the good work being carried out by the city’s Third Sector.

The parade will set off in the morning, processing from the top of Union Street down to the Castlegate. Hundreds of third sector employees, volunteers and the beneficiaries of their services will be joined on the day by a host of street performers, musicians and local celebrities.

Local business woman, Morven Mackenzie, is the leading force behind Celebrate Aberdeen. The director and owner of Aberdeen-based public relations consultancy, Mackenzie PR, Morven has gathered a strategic committee comprising professionals from across the private, public and Third Sectors to take the event through to fruition. All committee members are offering their time and expertise voluntarily.

“Plans for Celebrate Aberdeen are already moving ahead which is so exciting to see,” said Morven. “The team shares a real enthusiasm for the event and, like me, believes that Aberdeen’s incredibly diverse Third Sector should be celebrated.

“So many people in the region benefit from these organisations’ services and the parade will act as a platform from which to further raise people’s awareness of them. It will also be a great opportunity for the organisations to offer their thanks to the people of Aberdeen who have supported them in turn.”

A key partner in the planning of the event, ACVO - the Third Sector Interface - is coordinating the recruitment of Third Sector participants to the parade.

Ian Paterson, CEO of ACVO commented: “Coming in the European Year of Volunteering and bringing Volunteers’ Week to a close, ACVO sees the parade as a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the many ways that people can enjoy coming together to make a positive impact on our communities, our city, our region and beyond.”

As 2011 approaches, the Celebrate Aberdeen committee is calling out to all Aberdeen city-based third sector organisations to sign up to participate in the parade. Those interested should contact ACVO Communications Officer, Michelle Duff, on (01224) 686055 or at mduff@acvo.org.uk

Sponsors for both the event and individual participating organisations are also being sought.

“As is the case for all volunteer-run endeavours, sponsorship is vital to the parade’s success,” concludes Morven. “Among other factors, it will ensure that all participating organisations – both big and small – are given equal opportunity to take part in what is set to be a fantastic celebration for the city.”

Information on the various sponsorship opportunities available at this high-visibility event can be provided by Mackenzie PR - 01224 580188 and info@mackenziepr.co.uk.

The Celebrate Aberdeen parade will take place on the morning of Saturday 11 June 2011. For further information visit www.celebrateaberdeen.org and the event’s dedicated Facebook, Twitter and Wordpress pages.