An Aberdeen extravaganza in celebration of Robert Burns has boosted the coffers of two charities by raising in excess of £7000.
The money was raised at the second annual Granite Burns Supper at the city’s DoubleTree by Hilton Aberdeen Treetops, hosted by Granite PR and managed by Business Plus Scotland. The total will be shared by Flying Start, the global charity partnership between British Airways and Comic Relief, and Inspire which provides a range of services for adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs in a variety of settings in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus.
As well as traditional and contemporary addresses, the evening featured networking opportunities, and a clothing exhibition from The Fountain Scotland’s Tartan Touch range. In addition was a variety of entertainment, compered by Steven J. Innes, including a piper, dancers from Banchory’s Coutts School of Highland Dancing, and music from fiddler Stuart Davidson, Bridge the Gap and The Dodgy Bongos Ceilidh Band.
The total raised on the night was boosted thanks to raffles, an auction, and a fundraising games and activities area.
Commenting on the success of the evening, event creator Brett Jackson of Granite PR said: “One of our main aims this year was to increase our focus on raising money for good causes and I am delighted that we have achieved such a great total. I am very grateful to everyone who supported our efforts in so many ways and helped us to get our 2019 calendar of events off to an excellent start.”
Inspire development manager (communities & communication) Andrew Reid added: “We were delighted to be involved in the second annual Granite Burns Supper which raised valuable funds for the work we do with more than 300 adults.
“The opportunity to raise our profile at this event was particularly special as we continue to celebrate our landmark 30th anniversary year.”
Phyllis Stuart, British Airways manager at Aberdeen said: “The second Granite City Burns Supper was a great success.
“We are grateful to everyone whose generosity raised such a wonderful sum for British Airways Flying Start initiative to help our charity partners at Comic Relief continue their fantastic work in improving the lives of disadvantaged children both at home and abroad.”
Flying Start has raised £20m for Comic Relief since the charity partnership began in 2010, reaching its target two years ahead of its 2020 deadline.
Liz Stapley (British Airways), Andrew Reid (Inspire), Bernie Allison (Business Plus Scotland), Brett Jackson (Granite PR), Graeme McCaw (DoubleTree by Hilton Aberdeen Treetops) and Tsungi Maruta (British Airways)