Tag: charity donation

Amazon donates goods worth £30,000 to Fresh Start

The team at Amazon’s Corporate Office and the Customer Service team in Edinburgh has joined forces with five other Amazon teams across Scotland to pack and donate household essential packs worth £30,000 to Edinburgh-based charity, Fresh Start.

Fresh Start is dedicated to helping individuals who have experienced homelessness transition smoothly into their new homes. Each year, the charity supports thousands of new tenants, ranging from families to single individuals, by providing Starter Packs filled with essential household items to help them establish a comfortable living environment.

To support this cause, the Amazon team in Edinburgh, along with colleagues from five additional sites across Scotland, packed over 450 Starter Packs at the fulfilment centre in Dunfermline. The donation of Starter Packs will support 475 households across Scotland. Members of each team met to visit the charity to deliver the packs, learn more about the charity’s work and express their appreciation to its staff and volunteers.

Speaking on the combined donation effort, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “It has been our pleasure to support Fresh Start in its mission to assist people moving into new homes.

“The enthusiasm shown by our colleagues in Dunfermline and across Scotland as they packed the Starter Packs was truly inspiring, and I am glad to work alongside teams who care so much about the communities around our Amazon buildings. Knowing that these essential items will help people start afresh and settle into their new homes is incredibly rewarding for all of us.”

The Starter Packs included a variety of household necessities such as winter clothing, kettles, toasters and cutlery, all aimed at helping people settle into their new homes with ease and comfort.

Alasdair Brown, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline who helped pack the Start Packs, added: “It’s been great to team up with my colleagues from across Scotland to pack the Fresh Start Starter Packs, knowing that they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need a boost getting back on their feet.

“Supporting our local communities is something I really take pride in, and I’m pleased to be encouraged to do so by my employer. Fresh Start deserves as much recognition as possible, so this was a great initiative to have been part of.”

During the visit to Fresh Start’s Community Hub and Warehouse premises in Edinburgh, Amazon team members had the opportunity to meet with Fresh Start staff and volunteers, learning more about the organisation’s impact in the community.

Darcey Joyce, Corporate and Community Fundraiser at Fresh Start, said: “Our Starter Packs are vital for helping people who have been homeless settle into a new home, as they provide them with the essentials they need to have the best new start.

“The dedication of the Amazon teams who packed and delivered these household essentials to us highlights their commitment to supporting our community and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support.

“Gifting essential household items to people transitioning from homelessness into tenancies across Edinburgh greatly reduces the risk of repeat homelessness and helps people feel a sense of community as they resettle.”

Amazon has several buildings in Scotland, including a fulfilment centre, delivery stations, an Amazon Fresh store and the Amazon Development Centre Scotland, situated in Edinburgh’s iconic Waverley Gate building.

Amazon employees from Dunfermline, Motherwell, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee formed the group offering financial and practical support to Fresh Start.

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 5 million surplus goods to over 500,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, and Tees Valley.

Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Wooden Spoon supports surf therapy charity with over £30,000 donation

Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, is proud to announce its support for The Wave Project and its innovative surf therapy programmes with a donation of over £30,000.

This significant grant will enable the pioneering initiative to continue its vital work across Dorset, Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Scotland, harnessing the transformative power of surfing to help young people suffering from mental health challenges build confidence, reduce anxiety and improve their overall well-being.

Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, is proud to announce its support for The Wave Project and its innovative surf therapy programmes with a donation of over £30,000.

This significant grant will enable the pioneering initiative to continue its vital work across Dorset, Isle of Wight, Cornwall and Scotland, harnessing the transformative power of surfing to help young people suffering from mental health challenges build confidence, reduce anxiety and improve their overall well-being.

The Wave Project has a proven track record of profoundly impacting the lives of young people through its NHS-recognised interventions. By providing a fun and supportive environment, the charity empowers participants to develop resilience, cultivate social skills and experience a sense of accomplishment. 

The Wooden Spoon’s funding has been instrumental in supporting this life-changing initiative across the UK, ensuring that  young people can access to this unique resource.

“We are thrilled to support The Wave Project and its expansion,” said Barry Monahan at Wooden Spoon.

“Mental health challenges among young people are a growing concern, and we believe that surf therapy offers a creative and effective way to address these issues. By supporting The Wave Project, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of many young individuals in communities up and down the country.”

Ramon Van de Velde, Chief Executive Officer of The Wave Project said: “We are incredibly grateful for the Wooden Spoon’s generous support and belief in the transformative power of surf therapy.

“Time and again, we witness our interventions’ profound impact on children and young people – replacing anxiety with accomplishment, insecurity with confidence and new-found resilience.

“This funding will enable us to provide even more children and young people with the opportunity to participate in our programmes across the UK.”

Edinburgh charity Smart Works boosted by Amazon donation

A women’s charity in Edinburgh has received a £2,000 donation from the Amazon Development Centre Scotland team in the city.

Smart Works Scotland provides unemployed women with clothing for interviews, coaching and confidence training to have a better opportunity of securing employment. Opening its doors in 2014, the charity has supported thousands of women into employment.

Stacy Lundquist, Software Development Engineer at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, nominated the charity for support because of its positive impact over the last decade. She said: “I nominated Smart Works for support due to the impactful work that they do.

“Not only does the charity operate in communities across Scotland, but it effectively and actively combats many issues that UN Women has frequently highlighted, such as women’s economic empowerment.

“The staff and volunteers at Smart Works ensure that no unemployed woman is left in the dark about the next steps to a career.”

Rachel Shields, from Smart Works Scotland, added: “Thank you to Stacy and the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland for their support and recognition of our hard work. 71% of our clients go on to get a job within one month of their time with us and, with donations like this, we can continue to help unemployed women reach their full potential.”

The donation forms part of Amazon’s Volunteer Cash Donation Programme, where Amazon employees nominate causes where they volunteer their time, to receive a cash donation.  In collaboration with hundreds of community organisations around the world, Amazon employees are encouraged to volunteer and support causes they’re passionate about.

Community cash donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.

In 2022, Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families experinecing poverty. The first Multibank, ‘The Big Hoose’, opened in Lochgelly, Fife providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need.

The initiative has gone on to donate more than 2 million goods to over 200,000 families across Scotland and Greater Manchester.

Amazon also helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good, including more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in partnership with Magic Breakfast.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief to help people tackle poverty and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose.

Last year, together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon raised over £2.7 million to fund projects that support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food insecurity across the UK, and around the world.

Amazon has supported more than 500,000 students across the UK with free computer science and STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer.

Learn more about the ways Amazon supports its communities at www.aboutamazon.co.uk/impact/community

Gillespie Macandrew donates record £48,000 to its charity partners

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew has donated a record £48,000 to the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and Alzheimer Scotland as part of its annual commitment to its charity partners. 

The firm donates 1% of its pre-tax profits each year and this year announced double digit income growth for the second consecutive year with turnover reaching £16.8m.

These donations are part of a wider programme of engagement with the charities, which includes volunteering and fundraising activities.

The firm began its partnership with ECHC and Alzheimer Scotland in 2021 after both charities were nominated and chosen by staff.  The firm’s overall financial contributions now total over £126,000, shared between the two charities during this period.

Gillespie Macandrew’s commitment to supporting charitable causes is a key element of its overall ESG programme, having donated more than £250,000 to Scottish charities over the past eight years.  

Robert Graham-Campbell, Chief Executive Officer at Gillespie Macandrew commented: “We are delighted to be able to share the firm’s success with these two very important charities who provide invaluable support to families in Scotland. 

“We continue to offer practical support to our charity partners and our staff regularly take part in volunteer days with both ECHC and Alzheimer Scotland, from working in the hospital garden to setting up fundraising events. 

“This year Gillespie Macandrew staff also had the opportunity to join Dementia Friends training sessions to learn more about dementia and the small ways in which people can help.”

Roslyn Neely, Chief Executive Officer at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, commented: “We are so pleased to be the recipients of this incredible support from Gillespie Macandrew which will help provide our life changing work in The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. 

“No child wants to be in hospital, but for those who must be, ECHC is there to make that experience as positive as possible. Thank you to everyone in Gillespie Macandrew for their kindness and for choosing to help babies, children, and young people with this generous gift.”

Jonathan Mitchell, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Alzheimer Scotland, commented: “We are delighted to receive this very generous donation of £24,000.

“Alzheimer Scotland depends on fundraising and every penny raised will help us to continue to fund our vital network of Dementia Advisors, Dementia Centres and 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000), that provide critical support for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

“Without the amazing efforts of our supporters, we would not be able to deliver this vital help. This donation from Gillespie Macandrew helps us to Prevent Today, Care Now and Cure Tomorrow.”

Gillespie Macandrew has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, advising clients on all areas of land and rural business, private client, commercial real estate, renewable energy, tax and disputes, combining a personal approach with industry-leading expertise. 

Parents of two young boys injured in car crash donate £5,000 to SAS

A family whose young boys were seriously injured in a road traffic accident have visited the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Scottish Specialist Transfer and Retrieval (ScotSTAR) base in Glasgow to see a live demonstration of the new training mannequins their donation has helped fund.

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity provided a further grant of £15,000 to fully fund the highly specialised mannequins, which help ScotSTAR’s team prepare for the unique challenges of retrieving small children, which cannot be fully replicated in adult-sized mannequins.

The ScotSTAR service provides emergency medical retrieval services (EMRS), neonatal and paediatric transport services, and the air ambulance for the whole of Scotland.

In January 2021, the two Kelly boys – Carson (9) and Calvin (6) – were seriously injured when the car they were travelling in skidded on ice and flipped twice on a day out in Glenshee, Inverness-shire. Both boys suffered head injuries and needed to be airlifted to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Dr Michael Gillespie and Dr Kathryn Bennett, EMRS Consultants, tended to them at the scene and put them into medically induced comas to ensure they were safe to travel to hospital for treatment.

Carson stayed in hospital for six weeks, whilst Calvin was in hospital for three weeks. They are both now back at school part-time.

Mum, Sheree, praised the care her two boys received from the crew who attended: “The boys were kept side by side all throughout their treatment from the air ambulance to their hospital stay.

“Dr Gillespie dropped by to the hospital a few times during their treatment and was actually there the first time they both woke up. He has always kept in touch with the boys.

“The boys have met Michael and Kat a few times now and have thoroughly enjoyed visiting the ScotSTAR team at their base to see the training mannequins in use.”

Inspired by the great care their boys received, Sheree and her husband Andy wanted to give something back and have raised £5,000 to date for ScotSTAR with future plans to raise even more.

Michael Dickson, Chief Executive, SAS, said: “We are so pleased that Carson and Calvin have recovered so well after such a traumatic incident.

“Our ScotSTAR team are an essential part of the Scottish Ambulance Service, providing the very best care to patients, often in the most challenging of circumstances.

“Many thanks to the Kelly family and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity for their kind donation and support of our ScotSTAR team.”

Kirsten Watson, CEO, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “It’s incredible to see how this young family harnessed a traumatic situation into fundraising that could potentially save lives through effective training.

“Their exceptional fundraising supports an awe-inspiring team over at ScotSTAR, whom the charity is delighted to continue supporting.”

Aldi donates over 14,500 meals to Edinburgh and Lothian charities over summer

Aldi stores in Edinburgh and the Lothians donated 14,653 meals to families in need during the recent summer school holidays. 

All of its stores in Edinburgh and the Lothians supported local charities and foodbanks during a period of increased demand by redistributing surplus food via community giving platform Neighbourly. 

Since Aldi’s partnership with Neighbourly began in 2019, Aldi stores across the country have already donated more than 35 million meals – including over seven million meals so far this year.  

This summer, Aldi also gave every child in the UK a chance to try an Olympic or Paralympic sport for free as part of its ‘Get a Taste for Sport’ initiative, helping parents meet the cost of providing healthy activities during the summer holidays. 

Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “The school holidays are always an incredibly hard time for households across the country, made even worse by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“That’s why we committed to supporting even more families in Edinburgh and the Lothians this summer via our food donations scheme with Neighbourly, helping vital charities provide meals to those who need them most.” 

Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added: “Demand on charities and foodbanks in Edinburgh and the Lothians is incredibly high.

“This push in donations from Aldi was essential in helping so many families during the school holidays and we know how grateful the organisations were for the supermarket’s support.” 

Shoppers can also donate food to local charities, food banks and community groups via the community donation points in Aldi stores nationwide. 

Britain’s fourth largest supermarket also works with Company Shop, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products, to redistribute surplus food from its Regional Distribution Centres to Community Shops around the country.  

LQBTQ+ Charity receives donation from Amazon in Dunfermline

A Fife charity aiming to boost the representation of LGBTQ+ people in rural areas has received a £1,000 donation from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.

Pink Saltire provides a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community – especially young people – in smaller, more rural areas of Scotland. The charity offers many services including training, advice and support and launched The Hive LGBT+ Centre in Kirkcaldy earlier this year.

The donation from Amazon will be used to purchase specialist equipment for their new recording studios, which the charity will use to train volunteers to help them produce podcasts and radio shows.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “It is a pleasure to make this donation to such an important organisation.

“We are pleased to support Pink Saltire as its work makes such a big impact in Kirkcaldy and beyond.”

Chris Graham, an employee at Amazon in Dunfermline who nominated the charity for support, said: “Some of my close friends have been supported by Pink Saltire – it’s great that Amazon can boost the charity with this donation.”

Stuart Duffy, from Pink Saltire, added: “We really appreciate the support of Jamie and his team, this will make a big difference and ensure more LGBT+ people have the tools to really amplify their voices.

“We hope the work at The Hive will continue to inspire people across Fife and beyond, where sometimes its still difficult to be your true self.”

The donation to Pink Saltire was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

Amazon donates to armed forces charity

A Scottish charity for veterans of the British Armed Forces has received a £1,000 donation from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline in honour of Remembrance Day. 

Poppyscotland provides support for current and former members of the Armed Forces, as well as their families, living in Scotland. The charity maintains a safe space for men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the armed forces or with their struggles adjusting from military to civilian life. 

This is the third year in a row that Amazon in Dunfermline has donated to Poppyscotland. This year, the donation will go towards the charity’s welfare services for the Armed Forces community, providing advice and support to those struggling with finances, employment, housing, mobility needs, mental or physical health issues and more.

Speaking on the donation, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “Amazon has long been a proud supporter of the UK’s armed forces community and we’re pleased to make this donation to Poppyscotland.

“The work done by the charity’s staff and volunteers does not go unnoticed in our community.”

Megan Wright, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “My family has received so much support from the team at Poppyscotland.

I’m happy that Amazon can help the charity with this donation.”

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland , added: “The team at Poppyscotland and I would like to say a big thank you to Jamie and our friends at Amazon in Dunfermline for this generous donation. We appreciate all the support we can get, and with donations like this, we can provide help to the men and women who need it most.”

“Every penny will help us offer life-changing welfare support to Scotland’s Armed Forces community, helping with housing, employment, finances, mental and physical health issues, and more.”

“We’re also delighted to hear how Amazon is supporting veterans making the transition to civilian life,  assisting them in training for new careers after service.”

The donation to Poppyscotland was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK. 

Almost a decade ago, Amazon signed The Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant has a focus on helping the Armed Forces community to access the same support from Government and commercial services as the public.

Last year, Amazon increased its support of the military community by growing its partnership with the Royal British Legion. 

The partnership, which began two years ago, sees Amazon encourage customers to support the Royal British Legion through an official charity store, featuring products that raise money for the Legion. All proceeds from the sale of goods go directly to the charity. Amazon also offers customers the opportunity to support the Royal British Legion through Amazon Smile.

In addition to several support programmes for the Royal British Legion and other services charities, Amazon offers an employment programme for members of the services community called the Amazon Military Programme. The programme offers members of the military community the opportunity to pursue a wide range of exciting new career paths at Amazon.

Amazon offers an employment programme for members of the services community called the Amazon Military Programme. The programme offers members of the military community the opportunity to pursue a wide range of exciting new career paths at Amazon.

Cancer charity receives donation from Amazon

A cancer charity headquartered in Edinburgh has received a £6,000 donation following nominations of support from employees at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh. 

The donation was made to Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust, a charity that offers a support service to cancer patients and their families, during any stage of their treatment. 

The charity provides a range of workshops, one-to-one and group support to help people change the way people live with cancer. Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust is based in Glasgow but has operations across the UK. 

This donation from Amazon will go towards supporting people with cancer along with their friends and family. The donation can help to provide 2 full days of support at Maggie’s. 

Speaking on the donation, Oliver Masting, Director at Amazon Development Centre, Scotland, said: “The Maggie Keswick Cancer Caring Centres Trust provides free support and advice for families across Scotland and around the UK who are living with cancer.

“Its services are a lifeline for many families in our community and we wanted to support their impactful work with this donation. We hope it helps the staff and volunteers at the charity’s sites around the UK to continue helping those most in need.”

Amy Robertson, Centre Fundraiser from Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Centres Trust, added: “Thank you to the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland for their support and recognition.

“It is donations like this that help us continue to help patients and families in need.”

Kaukab Stewart MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, where the Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Centres Trust is located, commented. ‘This is a generous and very welcome donation to a hugely important charity which does such valuable caring work from its base in Glasgow Kelvin.

“Well done to the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland.’

Community donations are one of several ways in which Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Amazon provides students, teachers and parents with free computer science and STEM education programmes and has teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than six million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas of the country.

Poppyscotland sows new life into Edinburgh gardens thanks to £15,000 donation from Scotmid

Poppyscotland has been given the funding to bring new life to the gardens at New Haig House in Edinburgh, thanks to a £15,000 donation from Scotmid Co-operative.

Their flagship centre is undergoing a major refurbishment project, transforming the surrounding gardens and buildings to make the site a more attractive and enriching place for veterans and visitors.

Poppyscotland also plans to commission a veteran skilled in carpentry design and build a Scotmid Reflection Bench from native timber. This bench will give visitors a place to sit and reflect on the charity’s Exhibition Gallery, which features meaningful conversations around the work of the armed forces.

A Scotmid Volunteer Shelter will also be erected in the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens.

John Brodie, Chief Executive of Scotmid, said: “We’re honoured to support Poppyscotland and its refurbishment project at New Haig House in Edinburgh. “We hope that the new additions will create a beautiful space for veterans and visitors, and we can’t wait to come back and see it all once the refurbishment has been completed!”

Austin Hardie, Director at Poppyscotland said: “We believe those who serve or have served our country, deserve support to live life fully and without disadvantage, after their time in the Armed Forces.

“New Haig House gardens offer a peaceful and reflective space. We’re extremely grateful for Scotmid’s generous grant for the project and look forward to its completion.”

Pictured (left to right): Gordon Michie (Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland), Austin Hardie (Director of Poppyscotland), John Brodie (Chief Executive of Scotmid), Harry Cairney (Scotmid President) & Kerry Crichton (Deputy Head of Learning and Outreach at Poppyscotland)