Christmas
has come early for five North-east charities as £110,000,
raised during Piper Sandler’s recent Sportschallenge event, is handed
out.
The record level of funds
raised at the popular event have been split between its long-term
beneficiaries, Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland), and three
other smaller local causes.
Sportschallenge, the
North-east’s premier sports-themed corporate fundraising dinner, which is
now entering its 10th year, is sponsored by Piper Sandler with support from CNR
International.
The 2023 event, which took
place in September, saw 70 teams of ten from local businesses battle it
out at P&J Live in a Question of Sport-style quiz, hosted by former
footballers and sports personalities Alan McInally and Charlie Nicholas.
Alongside Maggie’s Aberdeen
and Children’s Aid (Scotland), donations have been gifted to Autism & Neurodiversity
North Scotland (A-ND), social enterprise The Bread Maker and
Inchgarth Community Centre.
The Bread Maker will use the
funds to convert part of its premises into a new learning and development
workspace for its apprentices, fitting its space with new flooring, lighting,
heating and toilet facilities.
A-ND plans to further
its support for autistic individuals, their families and wider support networks
in the North-east of Scotland with the money raised.
Inchgarth Community
Centre, which is one of the city’s biggest community centres, will
continue to provide support, including its range of classes,
activities, and foodbank facilities, to the people of Aberdeen.
Nick Dalgarno, Managing Director of Piper Sandler and a trustee of Sportschallenge, said: “Being
able to hand over the funds to our chosen charities is always a
highlight of Sportschallenge.
“All the
Sportschallenge trustees enjoy getting out to meet with
representatives from our beneficiaries and this year was no different. We
were very warmly welcomed at Inchgarth’s pensioners club Christmas lunch,
the Breadmakers staff Christmas craft night and even took part in a yoga
session at Maggies, all of which allowed us to experience first-hand the
upstanding work being done by our charities.
“Thanks to
the generosity of those who attended this year’s event, we have been able
to raise a record amount of money which will go towards
furthering the fantastic work each charity provides to the people of
the North-east.”
During the event, Terry
Allan, CEO of engineering firm Global E&C and Chairman of A-ND, gave
an impassioned speech, sharing his experiences of raising a neurodiverse child,
his thoughts on the meaning of charity and the importance of events, such
as Sportschallenge, in supporting life enhancing local causes.
He said:
"Sportschallenge is the biggest quiz night of the year, and we were
honoured to be selected as one its charity partners. As I said in my
speech on the night, charity is all about love, and events like
Sportschallenge are all about caring for our communities.
“Receiving the funds raised
by the generous attendees at the event means the world to everyone at
A-ND, and we will use the money to continue providing support to more than
150 autistic and neurodiverse individuals, their families and their support
networks throughout Aberdeen and North
East Scotland.”
Alongside headline
sponsors, Piper Sandler and CNR International, this year’s
Sportschallenge event was supported by Blackwood Partners, Azets, Global
E&C, Centurion UK and Cala Homes.
Preparations are currently
underway for the 10th edition of Sportschallenge, which is set to be held
on Thursday, 12 September 2024 at P&J Live. Table bookings are
now open for the event with a limited number of sponsorship opportunities
also now available.
To
register a table of 10 people for Sportschallenge 2024,
please visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9CA0rKo2-nlOn3R-UwXHUS14ZsN1hp-8CyGNkePpdTp4VFw/viewform.