A group of friends who have a yearly “get together” to raise money for local charities have passed the £70,000 milestone.
Laura Philip, her brother and sister-in-law Michael and Carol Wilson and chums Joyce and Steven Dalgarno, Carol Thomson and Susan Cantlay host an annual ball to support causes close to their heart.
The first event was held in 2008, after Mr and Mrs Dalgarno’s son, Taylor, needed an operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London when he was just six months old.
Mrs Philip, of Oldmeldrum, said: “We just decided to have a get together and make a bit of money to give to the hospital.
“We managed to make £7,200 at that first ball, so decided to carry it on and support different charities each year.”
The Taylor Made Ball is held at Lochter Activity Centre, Oldmeldrum and each year the group pick a charity that means something to one of them, or a friend – this year nominating Kayleigh’s Wee Stars.
The charity was set up by local couple Jonathan and Anna Cordiner after their two-year-old daughter Kayleigh died in 2012, just six months after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumour. The charity offers support for other families who have a child with a terminal illness, allowing them to make the most of their time together.
Mrs Philip knows Mrs Cordiner through the local toddler group, and was yesterday delighted to hand over a cheque for £10,700.
She said: “Sadly there’s always someone we know who could use our support. We’ve raised money for the neonatal unit, the diabetes clinic and the Anthony Nolan Trust because we’ve know people affected by these conditions.
“We’re just a group of friends, having a night out and raising lots of money. Peoples’ generosity is overwhelming, and we would like to thank all the companies who donate so generously to our raffle and auction.”