Staff at Elgin-based oil firm Gleaner boost Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
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STAFF at an Elgin-based oil company have raised £13,000 to support families affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Gleaner Ltd chose Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) as its nominated charity last year after previous fundraising efforts from two employees, Marion Davies and her husband, Chris. The couple's baby daughter died before reaching four months old.
The firm has built up a strong bond with SBH Scotland as several employees and their families have been affected by the conditions.
Gleaner has its head office in Milnefield, Elgin, and teams from all 13 of its filling stations across Moray and Aberdeenshire took part in a raft of fundraising efforts, including SBH Scotland’s annual Aberdeen Tower Abseil which raised more than £1,800.
Norma Mackay, area manager for Gleaner, said: "We are thrilled with the fundraising efforts across all 13 filling stations, with staff making a real effort to raise an incredible amount of money for SBH Scotland.
"We had a lot of fun with our fundraising, with raffles and race nights being real highlights. SBH Scotland carries out incredible work to support those with the conditions up and down the country, and we are pleased that our efforts will help those in need."
The charity needs to raise £1 million annually to fund its vital work.
Deborah Roe, fundraising director at SBH Scotland, said: "It means so much to us that Gleaner Ltd chose SBH Scotland to be their charity partner.
"Thanks to the generosity of each filling station and the surrounding communities, they have raised a staggering £13,000 for our charity, which will go towards helping the friends and families of loved ones affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus."
Spina bifida is a condition in which the spinal cord and vertebrae do not form completely. This leaves a gap which causes problems with the nervous system and/or hydrocephalus, sometimes called "water on the brain", a condition where increased pressure on the brain can cause social, emotional, cognitive and behavioural difficulties.
SBH Scotland was formed in 1965 by a group of parents who had children with spina bifida. Fifty years on it supports more than 3,500 children, young people, adults, their family members and carers every year.
For more information on SBH Scotland visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk.
