'Record-breaking' Moray Chamber Business Awards as £13,600 raised for Outfit Moray
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MORE than £13,000 was raised for a Lossiemouth charity at a "record-breaking" Moray Chamber of Commerce's Business Awards night.
The 18th running of the event, which took place at Gordon Castle on Friday, September 29, saw Gleaner Limited take home the Moray Business Award.
Equally as big winners, though, were Outfit Moray – an outdoor charity based in Lossiemouth – who took home £13,600 from the auction.
Sarah Medcraf, Moray Chamber's CEO, said: "The auction did really well. Outfit Moray now have £13,600 going towards their new minibus, which is a good contribution.
"It's outdoors, it's children and young people, so it ticks a lot of boxes and that's why people were so generous. But the auction lots were also very good.
"Gordon Castle realised that their fishing on the Spey was going well so put in a second.
"Macallan's mastery experience was so popular that they offered a second one, too. That sold for £3100."
The 400 tickets available for the dinner were gone within an hour of being put on sale, Mrs Medcraf added.
"It was a really good night overall," she said. "It was a record-breaking year as we sold 400 tickets in under an hour, with 60 on the waiting list at one point.
"For us, it's about bringing together businesses of all shapes and sizes to celebrate, because it's tough out there.
"We also had Richard Lochhead (SNP MSP), Douglas Ross (Conservative MP), Lord-lieutenant Seymour Monro and representatives from RAF Lossiemouth and the 39 Regiment in Kinloss.
"It goes without saying that we have to say thanks to the sponsors – we couldn't deliver the event without them. It's important we recognise the support the business community gives to the Chamber."
Gary Robertson hosted proceedings on the night, with the keynote speaker on the night Mark Kent, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association.
Plans now have begun for the Chamber's Festive Annual Awards Evening at the Seafield in Cullen on December 6. The shortlist for that will be released next week and tickets will come out the week following.
