Charities receive £60,000 funding boost thanks to Simmons’ Sportschallenge

08/12/2017

Three local North-east charities are set to share a huge £60,000 donation thanks to Simmons & Company Sportschallenge event.

Maggie’s, Children’s Aid (Scotland) and North East Sensory Services (NESS) have each received a substantial donation to support the crucial work carried out by each charity into the new year.

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Sponsored by Simmons, Sportschallenge has raised almost £420,000 over the past five years for local causes and its continued success is down to the generosity of the North-east’s business community.

Nick Dalgarno, managing director of Simmons, said: “Five years on, Sportschallenge has proven itself to be one of the highlights of the North-east social calendar. To have raised £60,000 this year alone in what remains a challenging time for local business community, is an outstanding achievement. Thanks to the 400 participants who joined us, three very worthy, local causes will be able to continue their remarkable work across the region.

“Having met some of the youngsters who attend NESS and seen first-hand the friendships, fun and learning that are at the core of its service, it re-enforces the difference that we can make in our community. This is what Sportschallenge is all about.”

Local charities and causes looking to benefit from, or organisations wishing to sponsor next year’s event should get in touch via: http://sportschallengeaberdeen.com/contact

The annual Sportschallenge event will make its return to the North-east on Thursday 13 September 2018.

Graham Findlay, chief executive of NESS, said: “Through our team of dedicated staff and volunteers, we provide advice and support for babies, children and teenagers who are blind and/or deaf. We help to teach them to become independent and learn to cope with everyday challenges and tasks. This donation will make a significant impact on our activities as it will help to secure the Young Person’s Sensory Services, which lost its main funding source earlier this year. It will also help us to continue to provide the clubs, trips and ongoing support, that help young people make friends and grow in confidence.”

Fundraising manager for Maggie’s, Paula Cormack, added: “We simply could not offer the support that we do at Maggie’s without the generosity of the local community and events like Sportschallenge play a key role in this. We are so grateful to the organisers for all their work in making Sportschallenge 2017 such a great success. This funding and the support it enables us to deliver really does mean so much to so many people.”

Sportschallenge 2017 was hosted by renowned sporting personality Alan McInally; alongside former Liverpool United and Wales national football player Dean Saunders. Winners of the ‘Europa League’ and ‘Champions League’ awards were Simmons and Co. and Bond Dickinson respectively.

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