Greyhope Bay’s community of SKIPPERS (supporters who host fundraisers for the project) are taking charge this Christmas with a never seen before spectacle in Aberdeen.
SKIPPER Campbell Scott of Scot Surf School is organising a SANTA STAND UP PADDLE down the River Dee which will see 30-40 floating Santas braving the cold and making their way from Sainsbury’s at Garthdee to Aberdeen Boat Club. Working in collaboration with Northsound Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ appeal our Santas will each be carrying gifts for disadvantaged kids down the River Dee for delivery at Aberdeen Boat Club and the Mission Christmas collection box we will have stationed there for the day.
Michelle Ferguson, Charity manager at NorthSound Cash for Kids said “This is a wonderful event and we are really delighted to be part of it. We are inundated each year with applications for gifts for children who are at risk of waking to nothing on Christmas Day. We are expecting applications to reach at least 10,000 this year and events like this really help us to fulfil all of the applications. We would like to thank Greyhope Bay for giving us the opportunity to benefit from this unique event.”
To welcome the Santa paddlers and spectators the Greyhope SKIPPER community is hosting a Sustainable Christmas Fair inside Aberdeen Boat Club, with hot chocolates, mince pies and Christmas crafts. Inspired by the Greyhope ‘Make a Little Change’ Campaign, the event will include stalls where visitors can buy sustainable t-shirts and totes designed by Greyhope Bay’s youngest Skippers with help from students at Mile End School and where visitors can get their own ‘Dot the Dolphin’ wooden decoration, necklace and present tag.
‘Dot the Dolphin’ has been making her way to offices, cafes and shops across Aberdeen sharing her message of making a little change for the environment/sustainability/community, with followers sharing their make a change stories on social media and raising money for Greyhope Bay.
“The community is at the heart of what we’re doing. We’ve been amazed by the creativity of our supporters and the stories of how individuals and organisations have been inspired by the project to host joyful events, and to take part and make change together. This event and campaign reflects that community ownership and the ethos behind what we’re striving to deliver for Aberdeen.” Fiona McIntyre, Founder and Managing Director
The Greyhope SKIPPERS effort comes off the back of project’s first wave of fundraising where a whopping £92,600 was raised through Greyhope Admirals (foundational investors), Skippers and Crew members. These funds raised puts Greyhope Bay within £75,000 of its goal to break ground and open a café and marine experience centre at Torry Battery in summer of next year.
Businesses and individuals interested in how they can support the project and get its fundraising goal over the line can find out more on the website www.greyhopebay.com
