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www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
T
he winter months are traditionally a time of giving, with several of the better-known charities using the season to
promote themselves widely – Save the Children celebrates Christmas Jumper Day in December, the RSPCA and WWF tug at the heartstrings of animal lovers, and Age UK and the Salvation Army highlight their work with the vulnerable. However, there are many less well-
known charities that need support. For a small charity like Children in Distress, legacies can mean the difference between life and death for infants, children and young adults living in the hospices and sheltered independent living delivered by the organisation. This little Scottish charity specialises in palliative, respite and end-of-life care for children with profound genetic disorders, birth defects or conditions arising from accident, heredity or infection. The charity also innovates in the treatment of infant and juvenile HIV/AIDS resulting from transfusion,
inoculation or direct mother-child transfer. The charity’s Alisdair Barron said:
“Our community education, child development and welfare programmes in Eastern Europe reach out to change the lives of tens of thousands of those living with disabilities, social discrimination and in poverty. “A donation, legacy bequest, or a grant from a company means guaranteed life-enhancing care for infants born with complex multiple health challenges who need constant care to survive. Many children depend on the charity’s highly trained hospice and therapy care teams. That makes Children in Distress and perhaps your support, the last and only hope for so many children.” There are many positive aspects for
companies getting involved directly with charitable giving. There is of course a corporate and social responsibility, but firms can also enhance their standing in the local community, as well as in the public eye.
With its significant investment in
local communities in Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland identified the Kiltwalk as a powerful fundraising platform for Scottish charities of all sizes to raise funds and direct all sponsorship towards those in Scotland who need a helping hand. Arnold Clark and Johnston Carmichael are also among sponsors of the Kiltwalk, which raised nearly £5 million for over 1,000 Scottish charities in 2018. The four events are again taking place in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh throughout 2019. Marketing and Sponsorship Manager Gillian Alexander said: “We are Britain’s fastest growing charity event, raising £890k in 2016, £2.7 million last year and now £4.9 million this year. Every £1 you raise becomes £1.40 for your charity courtesy of Sir Tom Hunter’s Hunter Foundation. Every penny goes to the charities, thanks to underwriting of THF and the generous sponsorship of our wonderful long-term partners. “Companies can get involved in the
Kiltwalk to raise funds for their current nominated charity or give staff a chance to raise funds for any charity close to their hearts. The Kiltwalk offers a cost- effective staff engagement solution, promoting health and fitness and linking with wellbeing in the workplace, and is an effective way to give back to the communities in which businesses operate. “Companies can offer staff the opportunity to either take part or volunteer at events. As there are events across Scotland, the Kiltwalk can bring staff together across the company.” Every year, law firm Anderson
Anderson Strathern’s Charity of the Year was SAMH
Strathern encourages its people to take up opportunities to help others, whether in aid of its Charity of the Year or as part of its ongoing relationships with clients, charitable organisations and schools. The company’s Charity of the Year is currently SAMH. Since 1923, SAMH has operated
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