Moray mill raises £20k for Abbie's Sparkle
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
STAFF at a long-running Moray firm have presented a local charity with £20,069 after a marathon year of fundraising.
Johnstons of Elgin employees undertook a range of challenges throughout 2019 to raise money for Abbie's Sparkle Foundation.
The charity was established in memory of 15-year-old Abbie Main, who passed away on Christmas Day, 2017, after living with a rare form of cancer for four years and four months.
Abbie, who was hailed by medics as “incredible and a truly inspirational young women”, had a wish for Abbie's Sparkle Foundation to be established to raise money to help others.
Mum Tammy and brother Cameron visited Johnstons last week, when they were presented with the cheque.
The firm's HR director Willie Wood said: "The fundraising efforts and support from Johnstons employees over the last 12 months has been incredible, and for the employees to raise over £20,000 for Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation is really fantastic.
"I am sure this reflects the many employees who were personally, or through family connections, affected by Abbie’s passing and their desire to support Abbie’s wish to raise monies for 'hospitals and stuff'."
Staff dreamed up a myriad of fundraising activities throughout the year, including the sale of cashmere scarves embroidered with Abbie's Sparkle Foundation logo.
Group financial controller Steven George ran the Loch Ness Marathon, while retail MD George McNeil completed the Huntly Half.
A number of other members of the team completed fundraising 10k races and the logistics team put their planning to the test by building, and crewing, a raft at the Lossie Raft Race.
Other events included a Race Night at Elgin Golf Club, a Wear Sportswear to Work Day and a Quiz Night.
Proceeds from an Autumn-Winter 20 style event went into the pot, as did money raised at the launch of candle company Gorse & Still, which took place at the mill.
Johnstons staff select a charity to back every year and the 2019 fundraising brings the total raised to over £130,000. Mr Wood said: "The support by employees is terrific and everyone involved should be very proud."
