Charity Glitter Ball raises £40,000 for local babies, children and families

24/09/2024
Left to RIght: Lynne Brooks, Holly Milne, Angela Hill, Johana Basford, Cassie McGunnigle

A sparkling Glitter Ball in aid of The Archie Foundation has raised more than £40,000 to help support local babies, children and their families. 

From the glamour of the 70s disco era to today’s newest TikTok crazes, The Archie Foundation paid tribute to 50 years of music at Aberdeen’s Chester Hotel. 

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More than 250 guests were taken back through the decades on Saturday (September 14) for a night of dancing, with a raffle and silent and live auctions hosted by compere Ian Thain. 

This year’s total of £40,167 surpassed the £29,000 raised at last year’s ball. 

Guests enjoyed a VIP experience with a red-carpet entrance with paparazzi, glitter bar and a 360-photo booth to capture the highlights of the night, before dancing into the small hours with live music from The Waterfront. 

They also heard from mum Caroline Taylor, who spoke passionately about her family’s experience of The Archie Foundation and the neonatal unit at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, where staff cared for her twins Faith and Hope and provided support when Hope sadly passed away. 

Having supported Archie for the last four years, engineering and fabrication firm TEXO was lead sponsor for the Glitter Ball, with Dyce Carriers sponsoring the raffle and CMD Stone supporting the silent auction. 

This year’s organising committee included patron and illustrator Johanna Basford, trustees Holly Milne and Irene Anderson, Rebecca Cheyne from the Wood Foundation and volunteer Lynne Brooks. 

The other committee member is parent Angela Tosh, whose husband Davie climbed to Everest base camp to raise money for Archie as a thank you for the support their daughter Georgia received from the charity. 

Organiser Lynne Brooks said: “We are thrilled to have exceeded our fundraising total by £11,000 this year, because as well as the fun, dancing and loads of glitter, the most important thing for us is to raise money to allow us to continue to ensure Archie is here for children and their families when they need us most.  

“Facilities such as The Archie Family Centre at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital allow parents to stay with their children when they are unwell and need mum or dad there. We provide vital bereavement services for both children who have lost a loved one and families who have sadly lost a child, as well as much-needed financial support at a time when families have enough to think about. 

“We’re so grateful to TEXO, Dyce Carriers and CMD Stone for their continued support and would like to thank everyone who attended or supported the ball and auctions.” 

The Archie Foundation exists to transform experiences and outcomes in healthcare and bereavement for babies, children and families across North Scotland, including Aberdeen, Elgin, Inverness and Dundee. 

  

The charity’s vision is that all children in the region will have equal access to world-class healthcare and bereavement support, delivered in a child-appropriate environment and manner.   

  

Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support which is available from The Archie Foundation.   

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