SCRA staff raised £5,200 to support young people on the trek

Staff at the Scottish Children’s Reporter’s Administration held a range of fundraising activities to help support young people to participate in the Nepal treks. The following is an extract from SCRA’s in-house magazine, National Reporter, quoted with permission.

Throughout the last few issues of National Reporter we have been keeping staff up to date on what’s been happening on the fundraising front. In this issue we are extremely proud to announce that the final total of just over £5,200 has been raised. Netta Maciver [SCRA Chief Executive] is delighted with the success of the fundraising effort, she told the National Reporter: “When we first launched this campaign in March, Michelle who had taken a co-ordinating role was terrified that we wouldn’t manage to raise £1,980. But with some trusty helpers from each of the regions the contributions started to come in. What a success story – not just in terms of money raised but all the different efforts and skills staff brought to it. We have raised more than double this amount. What an achievement and what a staff group! I can also see some other positives, such as closer working with Who Cares. Next year? Well I had my choice this year – any suggestions for next?”

At a ceremony held on 9 September, Graham Moore, Peripatetic Reporter from Central West Region presented Kevin, one of the young people for whom we have been raising the money, with a cheque for £5,217. Ronnie Kirk, Services Manager for Children and Families with East Renfrewshire Council said: “Without the money raised by SCRA we would really have struggled to meet our target of £12,000 within the timescale required. This would have meant borrowing the money, whilst continuing with our fundraising efforts. Now thanks to staff at SCRA, we are able to concentrate all our free time on improving our fitness, which is essential to ensure that we can make the most of the trip. I would like to thank SCRA on behalf of East Renfrewshire Council and Who Cares? Scotland.” A big thank you also came from the two young people for whom we have been raising the money. Unfortunately Gemma couldn’t be there on the day, but Kevin was and told National Reporter that he would be making a DVD of the trek and that he would send us a copy once he returns.

Loon Fung sponsors trek

The  directors of Glasgow’s Loon Fung Chinese restaurant have made a generous donation in support of the Reaching Higher appeal. The restaurant, at the west end of Sauchiehall Street, has been a favourite haunt of discerning diners since it opened in 1971.  Loon Fung provides traditional Cantonese dishes, especially seafood, and is famous for its hand-made dim sum. 

The blogger receives a donation from Loon Fung director Shilong Qu

Loon Fung director, well-known Glasgow restaurateur, Gerry Wan said:

As a keen hillwalker myself, I think it is a good idea to encourage young people to get out on the hills. I hope you all have a great time in Nepal.

RDF Group Sponsors a Young Person for Nepal

Employees of Livingston-based RDF Group – an IT consultancy and recruitment company – raised over £560 from a golf day which will help to send one young person in care to Nepal. RDF management matched the employees’ contribution. Programme director, Keith Macdonald, said:

We are delighted to support such a great event that helps young people in care achieve their dreams.

Employees organised other fundraising events, including a charity football match held at Livingston FC’s ground, which raised £720, a sponsored climb of Ben Nevis and the Troon 10K race.

David Dunne, a young person who will be going on the Nepal Trek, and recently appointed Board chair of Who Cares? Scotland, said:

These funds effectively allow us to send one of the 22 young people in care for a once in a lifetime trip to the Himalayas where they will experience life with the young people in Nepal. I would really like to thank the employees and clients of RDF Group for their tremendous support.

David Dunne receiving a cheque from Keith MacDonald of RDF. Also pictured are Caroline and Kirsten McManus

RDF’s resource and account manager, Caroline McManus whose sister Kirsten is a consultation and participation officer with Who Cares? Scotland added:

Raising this amount of money was a very satisfying and personal achievement for me and my colleagues to help make a difference to the lives of young people in care.

Ian Wood, a director of RDF, said:

RDF are absolutely delighted to support your organisation and consider it a privilege to be able to contribute to your great work. On behalf of all the directors and staff at RDF we would like to wish you every success for your exciting trip to Nepal in October and your continued work at Who Cares? Scotland.

Kitted out by Vango

The Scottish outdoor equipment manufacturer, Vango, is a major sponsor of our Nepal Trek. Vango has supplied each young person with a cargo bag, sleeping bag, rucsac and head-torch, and also provided cargo bags at 50% discount for the adult supporters.

Deborah Findlay, public relations co-ordinator for Vango’s parent company, AMG Group, said:

We are delighted to be supporting the Who Cares? Scotland charity and the young people on this once in a lifetime adventure. Being a Scottish company with a strong heritage, it is important to us to support local charities and this one in particular means a lot, given that there are young people involved.

The items of equipment we are supplying for this trip were all designed by the Port Glasgow-based product team and are packed full of experience, reliability, quality, innovation, design and usability, making them the ideal pieces of gear for the young people and their carers to use.

'Nepal's that way'. Kevin Lafferty (right) sporting Vango rucsac

To London by Haggis

Coach travel for both groups between Glasgow and London Heathrow airport is being provided free by Haggis Adventures, part of the Radical Travel Group. It is a terrific gesture by Haggis and Who Cares? Scotland is very grateful for this support.

Some of the trekkers in front of a Haggis bus

Pete Duncan, Radical’s business development manager, wished all the participants going to Nepal the best of luck on behalf of the group’s charities’ committee which he chairs.

Since the business began in 1993, Haggis Adventures has taken great pride in working with local charities.  Our business is based around people and the chance to support Who Cares? Scotland in such a direct way fits perfectly with our philosophy of ‘giving back’. Several of our team have requested to participate in this event and we are delighted that we are able to contribute to this fantastic opportunity in some way.