A north-east charity has been given a massive funding boost from a local oil and gas firm.
Friends of Anchor, which supports the Aberdeen and North Centre for Haematology, Oncology and Radiotherapy unit, received £57,000 from Aker Solutions after staff held a number of fundraising activities.
Representatives from the company visited the unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary yesterday, and heard first-hand from medical staff about the difference it would make to the charity’s work.
Kerry Nolan – senior charge nurse and a member of the Friends of Anchor committee – said: “The charity’s direct support of the unit helps us to continually seek to improve the care and treatment for the patients, as well as helping us to achieve as positive an environment as we can for the patients and their families attending the Anchor unit.
“We hope Aker Solutions’ visit today went some way in showing them just how valued and important their support is. Without it, Friends of Anchor wouldn’t be able to offer the support that it does.”
Staff at the company raised funds through bake sales and sponsored fitness challenges throughout the year.
Colin Ross, Aker Solutions’ UK communications manager, added: “It has been fascinating to see first-hand just how much every penny that’s been raised has helped make a significant difference to those receiving cancer treatment in the Anchor unit.
“When our staff in Aberdeen chose Friends of Anchor as our employee charity of the year, we knew that there would be a great level of support for such a worthwhile cause.
“Cancer is a disease that affects so many and this was undoubtedly a big motivating factor behind our colleagues being so passionately committed to the cause.”