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BEFRIEND A CHILD CHIEF EXECUTIVE RECEIVES NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD

The leader of Scotland's oldest befriending service for underprivileged and disadvantaged children has picked up a top honour in a national award scheme that recognises high-achieving Scottish women in the business world who contribute to society.

Karen Farquhar, Chief Executive of the Aberdeen-based charity Befriend A Child, was named as the joint winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Business category in the Association of Scottish Businesswomen (ASB) Awards 2011.

Mrs Farquhar shared the title for 2011 with Domino’s Pizza’s Lisa Tobias, when the winners were announced at the organisation’s awards’ ceremony on Friday, September 09, at the Macdonald Highland Resort in Aviemore. Mrs Farquhar’s fellow Aberdonian, Annie Lennox OBE, was named Scottish Woman of Achievement for 2011 at the ceremony.

The annual awards’ programme is open to businesswomen within the private, public, and voluntary sectors in Scotland.

Mrs Farquhar said: “I believe this award is deserved recognition for the continued dedication and hard work of everyone associated with Befriend A Child and I am delighted to accept it on behalf of the entire team, who have all played a role in the organisation’s continued growth and success during my time there.”

Established in 1975, Befriend A Child works alongside social workers, care homes, health visitors, and other charities, to support underprivileged and disadvantaged children aged 4-16 and continues to work with them up until the age of 18, if required.

The scheme became a registered charity in 1991 and in 2010 worked with more than 170 children in Aberdeen City - its largest number to date. It has recently expanded its services into south Aberdeenshire for the first time.

For more information about Befriend A Child, call 01224 210 060, visit www.befriendachild.org.uk or e-mail andrew@befriendachild.org.uk

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