Local charity Archway has paid a heartfelt tribute to two remarkable volunteers who have stepped down from its Board after giving almost 70 years of service between them.
Jim Sangster and Kenny Simpson are both parents of daughters with learning disabilities and know first-hand the challenges families can face and the importance of having the right support when it is needed.
At Archway’s recent AGM, Alan Pilkington, Chair of Archway Charitable Trust praised their selfless kindness, professionalism and extraordinary commitment to Archway, its families and everything the charity stands for.
Jim’s connection goes right back to the very beginning. As one of Archway’s early members, he helped establish the charity and has served on its Board as Chairman and a trustee, playing an important role in helping Archway grow from very small beginnings to the organisation it is today as it celebrates its 40th year milestone.
Kenny has served Archway for almost 25 years, bringing not only his experience as a parent but invaluable professional knowledge from his career in planning and construction.
His expertise was particularly important as Archway developed specially adapted supported living services, creating homes designed around the individual needs of the people living there. Today, numerous people with learning disabilities are thriving in these services, enjoying greater independence while receiving the support they need.
Kenny Simpson (left) and Jim Sangster receiving the awards recognising their contribution to Archway.
Paying tribute to them, Alan Pilkington said: “Archway owes a huge debt of gratitude to both Jim and Kenny. The time, knowledge and experience they have given so freely over so many years has been quite exceptional. They understood from personal experience why Archway was needed and have never lost sight of the people and families at the heart of everything we do. Jim was there at the very beginning and helped take Archway from an idea shared by a small group of parents to the charity we know today. Kenny’s professional expertise has also been invaluable, particularly as we developed new services and homes designed specifically around the needs of the people we support.''
He continued: “Between them, they have given almost 70 years of voluntary service. That is an extraordinary commitment.
They have helped make Archway what it is today, but importantly, they have also helped us continue to adapt and develop so that we can meet changing and emerging needs in the future. We simply cannot thank them enough for everything they have done.”
Founded by parents who wanted better opportunities and support for their children, Archway has remained a parent-led charity throughout its history. Today, it supports almost 200 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and their families across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through respite, residential care and supported living services. For Jim and Kenny, that means the legacy of their decades of voluntary work can be seen not simply in the growth of the charity, but in the lives of the people and families it supports every day.
As they step down from the Board, Archway has thanked them for the enormous contribution they have made, and for helping ensure that the values which inspired a small group of parents four decades ago remain at the heart of the charity today.