North-east businesses are being urged to turn on the tartan next month (Tuesday November 1 2016) in a bid to raise much-needed funds for Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity.
Hundreds of people from across the region are expected to cast their usual work attire aside and dig out kilts, highland breeks and clan inspired knits and accessories to take part in the new initiative known as #TartanTuesday.
Councillor George Adam, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, donned his office tartan today (Wednesday October 26) – alongside Fundraising Manager for Children 1st Emma Leiper Finlayson, Juliette Paton MBE, Patron of the charity’s Touch of Tartan Ball and Jane Armour, Chair of the Ball - to encourage north east businesses to get involved in the one day fundraising initiative.
In exchange for wearing tartan inspired clothing all those taking part will be asked for a small donation to the charity, which provides essential therapeutic support to local children who have experienced abuse, neglect and other traumatic experiences. By supporting #TartanTuesday, the tartan-clad participants will also be raising awareness of the 5,000 offences of sexual abuse and cruelty against Scotland’s children last year and sending a message of hope to all vulnerable children that recovery is possible.
Around 50 businesses in the city and shire have been invited to take part in the campaign and those who decide to don their tartan glad rags for the day are being asked to share selfies online using the official hashtag #TartanTuesday.
#TartanTuesday kick starts the charity’s month of tartan-inspired activities in the North-East to raise awareness and support of Children 1st and the work they do in the community. It will be followed by Kilts for Kids, where pupils across Aberdeen’s primary and secondary schools will put on their tartan glad rags to raise funds for the charity. The month of tartan will culminate in the charity’s main annual fundraising event the Touch of Tartan Ball taking place this year at the Beach Ballroom on November 18.
Emma Leiper Finlayson, regional fundraising manager said: “We’re delighted to have the support of so many local businesses for our month of tartan. Their generosity and commitment to raising funds for Children 1st is hugely appreciated and makes a wonderful difference to the work we do with vulnerable children in the community.”
Councillor George Adam, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen added: “Children 1st’s month of tartan is fun, colourful and so easy for everyone to get involved – from people at work as part of #TartanTuesday, to children at school for Kilts 4 Kids, to the finale Touch of Tartan Ball. From Blackwatch and Buchanan to Stewart and Spirit of Scotland, we’ve all got something tartan lurking in the back of our wardrobes. We hope to have a sea of tartan in the city on Tuesday November 1 - even tying a simple ribbon or bow in your hair or a wearing a tartan tie or plaid socks is enough to get involved.”
#TartanTuesday follows the recent reveal of this year’s Banchory Bangle – an intricate heron designed gold bracelet created by Scottish artist Dr Malcolm Appleby – which will be raffled at the Touch of Tartan Ball.
Over the years the bangles have helped to raise more than £130,000 to support local children and young people who have suffered abuse, neglect and other traumatic childhood experiences, to recover. Raffle tickets for the Banchory Bangle are £1 each and are available to purchase throughout Banchory, including Duncans of Banchory, Deeside Cleaners, and Taylors of Banchory, and at the Children 1st office in Aberdeen.
To find out how you can get involved with #TartanTuesday or to book your table at the Touch of Tartan Ball contact northfundraising@children1st.org.uk or call 01224 251150.