Nathan Reid, Regional Fundraising Officer at The Archie Foundation, has just celebrated his one year anniversary with the charity.
Here, he reflects on his first year in the role, shares insights into day-to-day life in fundraising, and highlights what the organisation has achieved throughout 2025.
The Archie Foundation is a local children’s charity headquartered in Aberdeen, supporting babies, children, and families across the North East of Scotland, as well as Grampian, Tayside, the Highlands, and Islands. For over 25 years, Archie has been dedicated to improving healthcare experiences and outcomes for children and their families.
The charity delivers this support in several ways. A few key initiatives include funding essential medical equipment for hospitals and families at home, transforming clinical environments into more welcoming, child-friendly spaces, providing vital bereavement support for children and supporting the neonatal unit.
At the heart of Archie’s work is a clear vision: that every child across the North of Scotland should have equal access to world-class healthcare and bereavement support, delivered in a way that puts children and families first.
As Nathan explains, life as a fundraiser is varied and fast-paced.
“Being in fundraising means no two days are truly the same, and that’s exactly why I love my job. Moreover, knowing that my work helps support children in so many ways is something that motivates me every single day.”
A large part of any fundraiser’s role is getting out into the community, and at Archie, it’s no different. This might involve visiting a primary school to deliver an assembly, showing pupils how their dress-down day has made a real impact while expressing the charity’s gratitude. It can also include working with secondary school academies, supporting young people through their Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) journey, helping them build confidence as they represent Archie and present their ideas for funding to support the charity’s services.
Community engagement also extends to local groups, such as women’s institutes, where Nathan shares Archie’s history and highlights the wide range of services available to families. These opportunities are essential for raising awareness, demonstrating the support available, and inspiring others to get involved.
Reflecting on the past year, Nathan is proud of the reach of this work. He has collaborated with a wide range of groups, supporting 21 schools with fundraising activities, engaging with 15 YPI groups, and delivering six community talks. This engagement has played a vital role in strengthening connections between Archie and the communities it serves.
Over the past year, Nathan has been involved in a wide range of activities and events. He completed an abseil challenge, led the delivery of the Archie Advent Calendar campaign throughout December, and has worked alongside several valued partners.
Some special highlights include:
- "Working with the Aberdeen Lynx ice hockey team, who selected Archie as the beneficiary of their annual teddy bear toss. This led to a memorable day distributing donated new teddies to children, bringing comfort and joy during the festive season."
- "Aberdeen Football Club made three visits to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital over the course of my first year with Archie. These visits are always eagerly anticipated, with players bringing energy and excitement to young patients and their families."
- "Moreover, attending The Archie Founders and Friends Awards (The AFFAs), where I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who helped make the charity what it is today."
Direct support is another cornerstone of the charity’s impact. Families can apply for help tailored to their individual circumstances, ensuring they receive support when they need it most. In 2024, Archie provided direct support to 3,385 babies and children. In 2025, that number rose significantly to 4,440!
The reason Archie ensures all of this happens is through the continued generosity of supporters. Donations, fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and volunteering all play an essential role in sustaining Archie’s work and allowing the charity to grow its impact year on year.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports Archie. Every donation, every event, and every act of kindness helps us continue to provide vital support to children and families.”
Looking ahead, Nathan is excited to build on the momentum of his first year, developing new partnerships, supporting even more fundraisers, and continuing to raise awareness of the charity’s work.
“If you would like to get involved, now is the perfect time. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, organising your own fundraiser, making a donation, or partnering as a business, the Archie team would love to hear from you.”
Nathan can be contacted at: nathan.reid@archie.org