Port of Aberdeen’s £100,000 boost for local charities
Port of Aberdeen today (1 April 2024) announces a significant increase to £100,000 for its charitable donations in 2024, including the creation of strategic, multi-year partnerships with four Aberdeen based charities.
AFC Community Trust, Aberdeen Foyer, CFINE, and Denis Law Legacy Trust will receive £15,000 in 2024 and 2025, with the option to extend the agreement further. The aim of these partnerships is to deepen the port’s positive impact on the community and to build strong, lasting relationships with charities.
“With the current high demand on third sector services and many facing budget cuts, we're responding with a solid commitment.”
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “As a thriving Trust Port in the city centre, we're ramping up our support for local organisations that provide vital services to our community. With the current high demand on third sector services and many facing budget cuts, we're responding with a solid commitment of significant, multi-year funding and wider support to our new strategic charity partners.”
The strategic partnerships will support a wide range of activity, including a host of new and existing projects, including Aberdeen Foyer’s digital inclusion programme which develops digital skills that support employability opportunities and significantly improves quality of life and confidence.
“Port of Aberdeen’s strategic charity partnerships are a novel approach to addressing a longstanding challenge – certainty of funding.”
Leona McDermid, CEO, Aberdeen Foyer, said: “Port of Aberdeen’s strategic charity partnerships are a novel approach to addressing a longstanding challenge – certainty of funding. Thanks to the port, we can now expand our digital inclusion programme knowing the funds will be there. We believe there is no limit to what people can achieve in their lives which is why we are excited to be part of this collaboration and look forward to making a positive difference together.”
Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “Port of Aberdeen is a fantastic local organisation that helps so many community projects and our partnership will enable us to enhance our work and impact in supporting disadvantaged young people in Aberdeen.”
The port’s corporate social responsibility focus has expanded significantly in recent years, with donations rising from £30,000 in 2022, to £70,000 last year and now £100,000 for 2024. This has been supported with an increase in volunteering from port employees, food and Christmas present drives, and social media support for charities.
Additionally, the port unveiled the outcome of its 2024 supPORT-all programme, which provides charities and community groups local to the port with project funding in addition to support with time, resources, or equipment to help those most in need. This year, nine essential community projects will share £25,000 in funding, including £5,000 to continue the provision of Robert Gordon University’s student led physiotherapy exercise classes in the Old Torry Community Centre.
Cara Baird, Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement, Robert Gordon University, said: “The initiative offers local residents over the age of 55 access to exercise classes designed to improve balance, mobility and strength. The classes also promote mental wellbeing and encourage social interaction and relationship building in the community. Thank you to Port of Aberdeen’s supPORT-all programme for its generous donations in 2023 and 2024, it makes a huge difference.”
Now in its tenth year, Port of Aberdeen has donated more than £800,000 through its supPORT-all programme to over 210 local initiatives, supporting over 200,000 children and adults across Aberdeen, including communities like Altens, Balnagask, City Centre, Cove, Footdee, Garthdee, Kincorth, Torry, and Tullos.
A further £15,000 has been allocated to charity and community projects suggested by employees, as well as responding to ad hoc requests across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
