A local charity that was forced to cancel its annual flagship event at the weekend due to a power cut is now appealing for £12,000 to re-stage the event next year.
Inspire PTL’s Sparkles Ball 2017 was due to be held at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom – but had to be cancelled on health and safety grounds following an early evening power cut which affected many homes and businesses in the Beach area on Saturday.
The blackout happened at about 5pm and following advice that power would not be restored until after 8pm they decided there was no alternative but to cancel the event.
With more than 300 people due to attend the charity has incurred costs of additional transport which was drafted in to ensure their safe homeward journey.
The local charity helps almost 400 people with learning disabilities and additional support needs across the north-east.
Inspire PTL’s CEO Linda Gray said the ball was the highlight of their client’s social calendar and added: “We are all really disappointed that the night ended the way that it did as this is the event of the year for everyone supported by Inspire.
“We really had no choice but to cancel and while the timing wasn’t ideal we are grateful that it didn’t happen when 300 people were already in the venue.”
The event has now been re-arranged for February 2018, and will have a Valentine’s theme.
Mrs Gray explained that extra funds would now be needed to cover the new event, adding: “A number of increased costs were incurred by the charity as additional transport was required to ensure everyone got home promptly and safely and to ensure that those who had travelled from further afield were able to have a hot meal.
“The cost to put on the February event will be around £12,000.
“Any individuals or businesses out there who feel they may be able to support us – either financially or through the donation of goods or expertise – to please get in touch.”
A Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) spokesman said: “We were alerted to a power cut in the Greyfriar’s area just before 5pm on Saturday.
“Engineers were immediately dispatched to the site and had the restored power to all 1,820 customers affected by 6.15pm.
“The cause has been established as a fault on the underground cable and SSEN would like to apologise to its customers for any inconvenience this may have caused and thanks them for their patience while work was carried out to repair this fault.”
Anyone who feels they may be able to offer support should call 01224 280 005 or e-mail linda.gray@inspiremail.org.uk