Aberdeen’s Curated In The Quad festive market has given Charlie House the gift of giving – raising more than £32,000 for the vital North-east charity.
The hugely popular event – which wrapped up after a six-weekend run on Sunday (December 22) – is organised by Aberdeen Inspired and Charlie House to raise funds for the worthy cause while showcasing the finest local producers and creatives in the North-east.
Bosses at both Charlie House and Aberdeen Inspired said they were delighted this year’s market raised more than £32,000 in funding for the charity – up from £24,500 raised last year.
The funds came mostly through the donation of stallholder fees from local traders who operated at the 45 Alpine-style chalets which transformed the historic Marischal College quad into a twinkling wonderland as part of Aberdeen Christmas Village on Broad Street.
Emma Leiper Finlayson, director of fundraising at Charlie House, said: “This year’s Curated in the Quad has raised just over £32,000, which is a fantastic Christmas gift. This will go a long way in supporting the 140 families we work with across the north-east of Scotland.
“These vital funds will enable us to continue supporting the families who rely on our services, provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together and focus on what matters most - creating memories to cherish this Christmas and beyond.
“We’re incredibly grateful to all our talented stallholders, our festive customers, and our partners at Aberdeen Inspired, Codona’s and Aberdeen City Council for their support in making this year’s Curated In The Quad such a success.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, shared Emma’s delight at the total raised by Curated In The Quad, which was expanded this year to 45 stalls, up from 30 last year.
“Christmas is a time for celebration and for giving and I am so pleased Curated In The Quad has done both. The festive market has celebrated our incredible local creatives and producers and the people of Aberdeen have given them – and Charlie House – their support,” said Adrian.
“The funds raised for Charlie House will go such a long way to supporting their vital work for families in Aberdeen and across the region and I hope that will give everyone who visited and worked at Curated In The Quad the warm satisfaction that comes from helping others.”
Adrian also thanked the thousands of visitors to the festive market and the Aberdeen Christmas Village – staged by Aberdeen Inspired in partnership with Codona’s and Aberdeen City Council – for helping boost the wider city centre businesses and attractions.
Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron praised everyone involved in this year’s successful Curated In The Quad.
He said: “I’m thrilled to hear that Charlie House have raised such a fantastic amount, smashing last year’s record total by quite some margin. I know that this money will be vital for helping them to continue their invaluable work that they do for children and their families across the city.
“A big well done to all those involved in organising another hugely successful Curated In The Quad Christmas market!”
Meanwhile, some of the stallholders who took part in this year’s Curated In The Quad were quick to sing the praises of the festive market.
Jacqui Stuart, of 13-23 Jewellery, said: “It has been absolutely fabulous. The support we have had from Aberdeen has been just wonderful, with lots of people coming and purchasing local, handmade goods for Christmas.”
Bruce Adam, of Shadow Shapes, said he is already looking forward to next year’s Curated In The Quad.
“This is the third year we have been at the Christmas market and we always enjoy it. This has been a very good year for us – essentially a record year. We are very pleased with it and we’re going to come back next year for sure.”
Aberdeen Christmas Village will continue to run until Hogmanay. You can find out more here