Take the plunge for The Cornerstone Foundation

The Cornerstone Foundation, has joined forces with a leading safety training firm for the second time, to offer a unique fundraising challenge for those keen to get a behind the scenes look at the oil and gas industry.

The Chopper Challenge, which is being hosted by Falck Safety Services in Dyce, will take place on Thursday, February 8, 2018 and will give participants a taste of life in the offshore energy sector.

Falck Safety Services first hosted the popular challenge in support of Cornerstone in November 2016. The 16 spaces sold out within a week and the daring participants raised almost £5000 through sponsorship.

Those who sign up to the 2018 challenge will undertake a detailed safety briefing by Falck’s expert instructors before being strapped into its world-class Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) simulator and plunged into the pool. Each participant will put their escape training and in-water survival techniques to the test as they strive to swim to the surface.

Lisa Duthie, Leader of The Cornerstone Foundation, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with Falck Safety Services again. This fundraising challenge provides an opportunity to take part in an activity usually only reserved for those who travel offshore and will be a real test – both physically and mentally.

“The money raised will help The Cornerstone Foundation to do some amazing things that help the people Cornerstone supports to lead a valued life. Falck Safety Services have been extremely generous in allowing us to use their facilities free of charge, and therefore, every single penny raised will directly benefit people with disabilities and support needs.”

Louise Mackay, fundraising coordinator at The Cornerstone Foundation, personally experienced the challenge in 2016. She said: “The 2016 Chopper Challenge was a huge success, with all spaces filled within a week. I personally took part in the challenge last year and it was a brilliant experience which I would highly recommend.”

The HUET simulator is part of a suite of mandatory training courses for all workers travelling offshore by helicopter and this challenge will give members of the public the chance to experience the comprehensive training they undertake before heading to the North Sea rigs.

Colin Leyden, managing director of Falck Safety Services UK, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Cornerstone Foundation to host the Chopper Challenge and look forward to showing off our world-leading facilities to a new audience.

“Many people don’t appreciate the level of training involved before workers can travel offshore and hopefully this event will give the 16 participants a greater understanding of the industry, allowing them to challenge themselves while raising money for a fantastic cause.”

Four teams of four are being sought to take part in the Chopper Challenge with a minimum sponsorship amount of £1000 and registration fee of £140 per team. However, a limited number of individual spaces may be available on request. Those who are interested in participating should contact Louise Mackay on 01224 256023 or louise.mackay@cornerstone.org.uk.

Falck Safety Services has 32 training centres across the world – including two UK sites in Aberdeen and Teesside – and is an industry leader in safety training to the oil and gas, shipping, renewable energy, maritime, industrial, military and aviation industries.

Cornerstone provides care and support for adults, young people and children across Scotland including people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, dementia, mental health problems and other needs.

Since 1980, Cornerstone has grown to support more than 2,200 people each year, delivering services within 18 local authority areas across Scotland. More information on Cornerstone can be found by visiting www.cornerstone.org.uk.

The Cornerstone Foundation was established in April 2017 with the aim of achieving the ambitious goal of doubling annual philanthropic income to more than £2m per year.

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