Estate and lettings agency Northwood, with offices across the North East of Scotland, is celebrating its 15th year in business with a calendar of philanthropic endeavours which will benefit 15 local charities.
The Northwood team will ‘give-back’ to its local community by providing support each month to different organisations throughout the region, offering practical hands-on help including painting jobs, and sorting and clearing up, to mock interviews for those looking to get back into employment.
Set up in 2009 by Laura Mearns and her husband Steven, Northwood currently has offices in Aberdeen and Inverurie, and an established presence in surrounding areas including Banchory, Aboyne, Ballater, Ellon and Stonehaven.
The past 15 years have seen the award-winning team grow to 12, with a rapidly expanding portfolio of properties on its books and an annual turnover of £950,000. The aim this year is to exceed £1million turnover.
The team has also donated approximately £35,000 to various local charities and organisations in that time.
Northwood Lettings team
Starting today (January 31) with Somebody Cares, the team has donated time to help sort through donations in the charity’s warehouse and shop. The other charities to benefit throughout the year include Befriend A Child; Maggie’s; Grampian Women’s Aid; Cash for Kids; HomeStart; SensationALL, and Cyrenians. There will also be an opportunity for the Northwood staff to learn more about the work of some of its chosen charities, with a series of lunch-and-learn events designed to help raise awareness of issues including financial welfare, cancer in the workplace, to spotting signs of domestic abuse.
As well as the volunteering opportunities, three fundraising events have been planned, including a wing walk, 24-mile walk from Ballater to Banchory along the Deeside Way, and a fire walk in November.
Laura, who is well-known figure in both Aberdeen and Inverurie due to her ongoing support for local business and charitable organisations, said the team had been unanimous in its decision to ‘give back’ to the local community.
“This year will be our 15th year in business, and we knew we wanted to do something particularly special to mark that,” she said.
“We have spoken to many organisations and charities across a wide range of needs to find out who might benefit from our time, and we are delighted to be able to offer support to so many amazing causes. We will also have an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come as a company in 15 years, with a big party in November, where everyone will have the chance to take part in a sponsored fire walk. It’s been a very busy start to the year, with lots of fun to look forward to. We are all excited to be a part of our 15 x 15 programme.”