Big-hearted contractors working on the Aberdeen bypass have raised nearly £40,000 for 19 local charities over two years.
In 2014, Connect Roads – a consortium comprising of Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try (Morrison Construction) and Carillion – were named as the contractors for the £745million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).
Since beginning construction, the workers have pitched in on numerous charity projects.
Among the organisations who have benefited are Clan Cancer Support, the Red Cross, Camphill School, Aberdeen Cyrenians, Cornerstone, the Archie Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Maryculter Woodland Trust, Maggie’s Aberdeen and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
John Guild, technical director for the bypass project, took part in a non-stop cycle relay from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and completed the 981-mile route in just 84 hours, raising £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Staff have also taken part in Christmas food delivery convoys from Balmedie to Aberdeen for Aberdeen Cyrenians, whilst AWPR driver Paul Cooper raised more than £1,000 for Clan by dressing up as an elf and helping Santa at the city’s Bon Accord Centre.
Eight staff members helped the Maryculter Woodland Trust create a new car park for visitors and also donated waste wood and other materials for a variety of uses.
A team of 18 staff also took part in one of Scotland’s toughest challenges, the Beast Race, and raised £1,200 for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
Project staff have also volunteered to help crucial lifesaving organisations, including works manager Colin McNeil who joined the Aberdeen RNLI.
Mr McNeil is a member of his local RNLI team in Troon and during his work in Aberdeen has been training with the city squad and taking part in operations.
This has included helping in a nighttime search for a missing 14-year-old boy, who was eventually found safe and well on the shoreline.
Yvonne Gilfillan, corporate social responsibility manager for the project, said: “Our staff have become part of the Aberdeen community and it is no surprise that they are delighted to help these charities and groups when they need support.”
