Aberdeen-based energy business has awarded a five-figure sum to a local children’s charity as part of an ongoing partnership aimed at supporting disadvantaged children in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The £20,000 donation will provide beds for over 150 local children.
NEO Energy (NEO), which is based in Aberdeen, selected AberNecessities as one of the company’s chosen charities as the charity aligns with NEO’s selected UN Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well Being. This month, the company donated £20,000 to AberNecessities which will be utilised to purchase beds for children in the north-east, who are living in poverty. As well as making significant contributions to the charity, NEO held a Burns Supper event earlier this year which raised £4,500. NEO continue to show their support of the charity through participation and sponsorship at team building events such as The Balmoral Run.
Founded in 2019, AberNecessities has grown rapidly due to the sudden arrival of the CV19 pandemic shortly after inception, and the cost-of-living crisis which prevents low-income families from being able to provide for their children in the way they would like to.
Founder Danielle Flecher-Horn commented: “We are extremely grateful to NEO for its ongoing support and this generous donation comes at an important time when we are working hard to help families who are struggling to provide their children with basic essentials, as well as paying their ever-increasing bills.
“The horrifying reality is that child poverty has become a pervasive issue across the UK. Currently, one in five children in Aberdeen city and shire are growing up in this situation, but child poverty is more than a statistic; it is a gruelling experience for every baby, toddler, young person and parent living through it.
“We continue to witness an alarming number of children facing bed poverty, a concerning trend which is becoming more prevalent. Poor sleep can exacerbate both physical and mental health conditions, causing lifelong consequences. Every child has the right to a good night’s sleep, and by giving a bed, this basic essential at its most fundamental level, we can provide warmth, comfort and a safe place for a child. On average, AberNecessities gifts 20 cots and beds every month to local families.
“This year, we will support in excess of 10,000 children, and we are only able to do that thanks to our generous corporate and private supporters. Every day we receive calls from parents in desperate need, and the support we are able to offer gives them back a sense of security and dignity. The cost-of-living crisis is not going away. Inflation continues to hurt everyone every day. The poorest in our society are suffering the most, and we are extremely proud to be able to help mitigate some of that suffering, thanks to the generosity of businesses like NEO Energy, and local people.
NEO Energy Chief Executive officer Paul Harris commented: “We are proud to have partnered with AberNecessities to support our local communities both financially and through volunteering opportunities. The charity was selected by NEO’s Charity Committee demonstrating NEO’s commitment to playing an active role in the community and is an example of the generous spirit of our employees. We believe it is essential for local companies like NEO to support charitable organizations such as AberNecessities, which work tirelessly to assist underprivileged families and children in our community. Witnessing their dedication and passion is both humbling and inspiring.”