Befriend a Child celebrated 50 years of impact at their Golden Anniversary Ball on Friday the 30th of May 2025 at The Chester Hotel, raising £35,600 for local children the charity supports across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The evening brought together supporters, volunteers and partners to honour five decades of transforming the lives of local children and young people. Guests enjoyed performances from Mark Cameron Dance/Corporate, Right Here Productions and the event was hosted by local talent Kevin Littlejohn. Special thanks go to Headline sponsor WM Donald, who have supported Befriend a Child’s Big Kids Ball for the fourth year, and Print sponsor One Design.
Sarah Misra, CEO at Befriend a Child said: “We are delighted by the success of the evening and the amount raised. We couldn't have done it without our wonderful sponsors, guests and supporters who all contributed to making the evening incredible. Our 50th year marks an incredible milestone for the charity, and we are pleased to have celebrated it whilst raising vital funds for local children"
The charity's waitlist for its services is ever-growing and is currently sitting at 36 children and young people. The money raised on the night will help fund places within the charity's 1:1 befriending programme for children living in challenging life circumstances.
The ball saw former volunteer befriender, Katie Elder, share her heartwarming experience of befriending with the charity. Having started her volunteering journey in 2015, Katie befriended Kai for the 6 years and said befriending is the best thing she has ever been involved in. Her emotional speech highlighted the difference she has made to her befriendee and how they still keep in touch all these years later.
Befriend a Child supports children and young people living in difficult life circumstances across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire through 1:1 and group befriending and mentoring programmes and projects. Over the years Befriend a Child's provision of programmes and projects has grown and today the charity supports approximately 250 children annually.
Children can be referred to Befriend a Child for several reasons such as a lack of confidence or self-esteem, social isolation, lack of a positive role model and substance misuse in the family.
Jean Gordon, Head of Operations at Befriend a Child said: "Through our 1:1 support and group activities we aim to build new life skills and increase confidence and self-esteem. Through providing a positive adult role model, our befrienders help to reduce social isolation and improve the overall wellbeing and quality of life of the children and young people we support."
To find out how you could support Befriend a Child by fundraising or volunteering simply visit www.befriendachild.org.uk or email info@befriendachild.org.uk.