Subsea UK has raised £5,000 for two charities at its annual awards dinner which took place last month.
The charity collection from the dinner at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre will be split equally between the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Cancer Research UK.
Following the presentation of the cheques, Fiona Harvey, fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK in Scotland said: “I’d like to thank Subsea UK and all their guests who attended the gala dinner for the fantastic amount they’ve raised. Money raised allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across Scotland.
Cancer Research UK spends around £33 million every year on research in Scotland. In Aberdeen, Cancer Research UK scientists are researching proteins in cells that make sure our DNA does not become damaged, and is copied without mistakes when cells divide. Understanding how these proteins can go wrong may help develop new ways to treat cancer in the future.
“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives but the good news is that more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Survival rates have doubled since the 1970s but more funds and more supporters are needed to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
Jo Anderson, SAMH Director of External Affairs added: “We are delighted to have been chosen as Subsea UK’s local charity and our heartfelt thanks to the Subsea team for all their efforts in raising £5,000 for two great causes.
“At SAMH we know how a mental health problem can affect everything. It can have the most profound impact on our relationships, our work, our wellbeing and our quality of life. With more than 3,500 calls each year to our information line, we will put this generous contribution to good work, and be there for people when they need us.”
Each year, Subsea UK selects one local charity and one UK charity as beneficiaries from the awards dinner following nominations from members.
Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK, said: “I would like to thank the businesses and individuals for their generosity on the night which has raised this substantial amount of money. These are two important charities and the donations are going to worthwhile causes.”
The awards, which celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals in the UK subsea sector, were presented at a gala dinner in front of over 500 industry leaders during Subsea Expo in Aberdeen - Europe’s largest subsea-focused exhibition and conference. Neil Gordon hosted the ceremony with former England rugby captain Matt Dawson as guest speaker, which included visitors from all corners of the world, including Brazil, China, Japan, and Mozambique.