KIND-hearted businesses across the North-east are being urged to step forward and bid for Christmas trees as part of a week-long digital auction.
Hosted by The ARCHIE Foundation, the series of decorated nine-foot trees have taken residence at Marischal Square since the start of November.
Each of the trees have been sponsored by organisations from across the region – and money raised will enable the charity to continue providing its support for babies, children and families in the north of Scotland.
In addition to the eight trees up for auction, a rainbow-themed Oor Wullie statue has also been made available to buy, with its decoration made especially significant given the link to the NHS which The ARCHIE Foundation supports in Grampian, Highlands and Tayside.
Lynne Brooks, gifts and donations manager, said: “Coronavirus has forced us to get creative this year. We hope that despite the restrictions we can make a big success of the auction.
“We’re conscious that our normal corporate bidders may not be in a position to take one of the beautiful trees as their offices may be closed.
“Our hope is that (as well as businesses able to use premises) those who live in homes with suitably tall ceilings may be tempted to support ARCHIE and take a tree for home.”
The trees are made by The Christmas Decorators, a leading maker of artificial trees and were dressed by a variety of companies who sponsored and decorated them in themes of their choice, with opening bids set at £100.
The charity will organise free delivery and installation to anywhere Aberdeen City boundaries.
Included in the selection is a tree sponsored by Aberdeen Football Club with signed memorabilia. Further trees have been donated by The Aberdeen Clinic Healthcare (gold sponsor), Texo, Hampton, Overbury, Tendeka, The Christmas Decorators and Mackie’s Chocolate.
