SOME outstanding examples of third sector organisations, their staff and their volunteers had their achievements recognised at the third annual Celebrate Aberdeen Awards at the weekend.
The event at P&J Live, which returned for the first time since 2019, was attended by more than 570 people who gathered together to recognise and celebrate the enormous contribution which charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups and all the individuals who work for and support them make to the wider society.
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Thirty-three finalists had been shortlisted for the 11 award categories with the winners announced on the night. The award winners were chosen by a judging panel comprising 16 representatives from the business community, local authority, and the media. The winners represented a broad spectrum of organisations both large and small.
Aberdeen Cyrenians was named Large Charity of the Year with the award for Small Charity of the Year going to AberNecessities. Individual awards went Lewis McGregor (Young Supporter of the Year), David Smith (Staff Member of the Year), Rosie Nicol (Fundraiser of the Year), Bob Thow (Volunteer of the Year) and David Ironside (Heart of the Community).
Corporate Partnership of the Year went to Archway and EnQuest while Team of the Year went to WeToo! And Sport Aberdeen. TechFest was named the winner of the Event of the Year with the Campaign of the Year award going to Befriend A Child for its Giving Tree Appeal.
“This was a very special night for so many reasons,” said Celebrate Aberdeen volunteer Emily Findlay. “We decided to continue with the event following the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II after careful thought and consideration. The Celebrate Aberdeen Awards pay tribute to the outstanding and often life changing work carried out by the North-east’s third sector and we felt it was important to recognise the support so many people have made, particularly over the past few years.”
“It was extremely hard for our judges to select finalists and an even more daunting task to pick just one winner in each category. It was humbling and inspiring to hear their stories and the awards ceremony is a way of thanking them.”
Celebrate Aberdeen is planned and run entirely by volunteers and in 2021, the Celebrate Aberdeen team was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Celebrate Aberdeen Parade, which took place on August 27, and the awards ceremony are only possible thanks to the support they receive from the business community across all sectors. Thanks to that support, every shortlisted finalist hosted their own table completely free of charge.
“A huge thanks goes to all our Celebrate Aberdeen supporters, but particular thanks go to our title sponsor Baker Hughes and our gold sponsors CNOOC International and CNR International. Without them this just wouldn’t happen,” said Emily.
The 2022 winners are:
Young Supporter of the Year – Lewis McGregor, Future Choices
Staff Member of the Year – David Smith, Camphill School Aberdeen
Fundraiser of the Year – Rosie Nicol, Belhelvie Community Trust
Corporate Partnership of the Year – Archway and EnQuest
Campaign of the Year – Befriend A Child, Giving Tree Appeal
Event of the Year – TechFest
Volunteer of the Year – Bob Thow, Sport Aberdeen
Small Organisation of the Year – AberNecessities
Large Organisation of the Year – Aberdeen Cyrenians
Heart of the Community – David Ironside
Team of the Year – WeToo! And Sport Aberdeen
