As the holiday season approaches, AberNecessities, a local children's charity, is on a mission to create enchanting memories for children in need. With one in five children living in poverty across Aberdeen city and shire, the magic of Christmas and the joys of winter remain distant dreams for many.
AberNecessities believes that every child should experience the wonder of the holiday season. Its 'Believe in Magic' campaign goes beyond traditional gift-giving. It aims to craft personalised Christmas Eve Boxes that unlock the door to enchantment. These special boxes are thoughtfully curated with cosy pyjamas, heart-warming Christmas stories, and festive treats. The goal is not just to bring smiles but to create cherished memories and ignite the spirit of wonder in the hearts of children who need it most.
However, AberNecessities' commitment doesn't stop at Christmas morning. The charity firmly believes that winter should be a season of joy, not merely observed from indoors. Therefore, they extend their support to ensure children have appropriate clothing and footwear to embrace the fun and wonder of winter.
Today, AberNecessities is thrilled to announce Ithaca Energy as the headline sponsor for the 'Believe in Magic' campaign, with additional funds earmarked for the ‘WarmUpWinter’ campaign, gifting bundles designed to keep children warm and comfortable during the colder months. Each bundle includes jackets, hats, gloves, scarves and winter footwear. Ithaca Energy's generous support includes a substantial £20,000 initial donation, ensuring that local children can experience the magic of the holiday season and the joys of winter.
Rachel Reilly Julie McAteer and Vicky Hutcheson.
Danielle Flecher-Horn, Founder of AberNecessities, commented: “This partnership with Ithaca Energy exemplifies corporate social responsibility at its finest. Their commitment to our 'Believe in Magic' and ‘WarmUpWinter’ Campaigns reflects a shared vision of creating brighter, warmer, and more magical seasons for local children. We are profoundly grateful for their generosity and support”.
Alan Bruce, Ithaca Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are delighted to provide support to AberNecessities’ 'Believe in Magic' and ‘WarmUpWinter’ campaigns. Beyond our initial donation, teams from across Ithaca Energy will proudly be committing their time to the winter campaigns to support the charity’s fantastic work in the community”.
AberNecessities, with the backing of Ithaca Energy, aspires to bring festive joy to over 3,000 local children this year. Danielle added: “Thanks to the £20,000 initial donation, we are one significant step closer to realising this goal. This year, we have observed a considerable surge in applications for support, driven by the escalating cost of living crisis. Last year alone, we experienced a 108% increase in applications for support in the six weeks leading up to Christmas, rising from 1,300 Christmas Eve boxes gifted in 2021 to over 2,700 in 2022.
“With less than 60 days left until Christmas, our teams are diligently preparing to help families not only reduce costs but also alleviate the financial worries and stress that can often intensify during this festive period.
“By supporting the 'Believe in Magic' and ‘WarmUpWinter’ Campaigns, Ithaca Energy is not only gifting presents; it is offering the gift of forever memories, wonder, and the joy of a season fully embraced. Together, AberNecessities and Ithaca Energy are transforming the season for local children, making their worlds a little brighter, warmer, and more magical”.
Further sponsorship packages are available for businesses who wish to contribute towards a warmer winter for local children, and details can be found at www.abernecessities.co.uk.