An oil company has smashed its fundraising target for a beloved children’s charity following a tireless two year drive.
The Wood Group had pledged to the ARCHIE Foundation – the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) – that workers would raise £200,000 to support its 10-year anniversary campaign.
But in the end the company raised more than £265,000 for the charity’s High 10 appeal to support the renovation of the reception area of the hospital, and the garden and play areas at its front and rear.
It is now the single biggest sponsorship package ever received by ARCHIE.
Hundreds of Wood Group employees took part in a host of fundraising activities to raise the cash, including one team climbing 10 munros, various golf days, 10K races and dozens of bake sales over the past two years.
Tony Dinozzi, group head of mergers and acquisitions at Wood Group, spearheaded the fundraising drive.
He said: “The target we set was ambitious and the fact that we have surpassed it by this significant amount is testament to the passion and drive of our employees.
“Despite the downturn in the oil and gas sector this year, Wood Group’s people have committed their time and effort to supporting this worthy cause, underlying our dedication to helping people in the areas we work in.”
The additional funds raised will help fund a family liaison worker at the young people’s department at the nearby Royal Cornhill Hospital.
David Cunningham, chief executive of the ARCHIE Foundation, said: “The original donation is enabling us to make a huge difference for children and their families visiting the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
“When the work is completed in 2016, there will be a wonderfully warm welcome with the new gardens and reception area that will help to take away from the scariness of coming to hospital.
“On top of that, Wood Group has now enabled us to fund this important post in the young people’s department, which we are delighted to do.
“It is hard to find the words to express our gratitude to everyone concerned but on behalf of the children and their families, a very big ‘thank you’ from us all.”