A north-east oil company hopes to raise thousands of pounds for a charity which was established in memory of an Aberdeenshire toddler who died of a brain tumour aged just two.
Employees of Aberdeen-based ASCO raise cash for worthy causes every year as part of an annual drive.
Last year they supported two charities, including the Scottish SPCA centre at Drumoak, which was given more than £17,000.
This year, teams at ASCO sites across the UK hope to smash previous records and hit a new target of £50,000 for three causes across the UK.
The money will be split between the neonatal stillbirth charity Sands, the RNLI in Great Yarmouth and Kayleigh’s Wee Stars – which was set up in memory of Oldmeldrum toddler Kayleigh Cordiner who died of an incurable brain tumour in 2012.
The charity offers financial support to families of terminally ill children.
Jamie Marr, the company’s general manger in Aberdeen, said he hopes staff will be able to raise as much cash as possible, despite the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
He said: “Most years we’ve raised somewhere between £10,000 and £20,000.
“It’s a big target, certainly in challenging times, but we’re confident with the support of our staff we can do it.”
ASCO employs more than 1,000 members of staff across the UK.
Sam Begg, project manager for the company, said she knows many colleagues who have been directly affected by the drop in oil price.
She said he is proud of ASCO employees for still carrying out charity work every year.
She added: “I know a lot of staff personally that are worrying about home things, that that have had partners or other family made redundant in the industry.
“For them to still come along and support us in local events and to really dig deep in their pockets when the money’s tight at home – I think it’s an absolute testament to the staff.”
