Apache Corporation’s North Sea workforce has donated £20,000 to Tillydrone-based charity, ALC (formerly Aberdeen Lads Club Community Project).
The funds, which have been gifted by the company’s offshore charity bond committee, will be used to further equip ALC’s Dill Road facility, which reopened last year following a major refurbishment project.
The funding, which was generated by Apache’s workforce through the sales of confectionery and other items on its offshore platforms, will be used to purchase sports equipment for the charity’s 27m x 16m games hall.
This donation follows a £6,566 award from NHS Grampian Charity last year, which was also used to fund sports equipment for the games hall.
ALC provides a range of childcare, youth engagement and family support services for children, young people and their families in Tillydrone and its surrounding areas; Tillydrone being one of Aberdeen’s Priority Neighbourhoods.
ALC Apache 2 features ALC’s Angie Johnston and Apache Corporation’s Jamie Beagrie and Karen Hay (red jacket) with the children
This includes two early years’ nurseries, an after-school club, junior and senior youth clubs and a number of holiday clubs, which take place outwith school term time.
Sport and exercise have always been an important part of the charity’s offering, with footballing greats such as Denis Law, Dave Smith and Ron Yeats all having been members.
Jamie Beagrie, who is a regular in Fraserburgh FC’s first team line-up, visited the Dill Road facility with a group of Apache representatives to see first-hand the impact of the donation. He said: “The benefits to children from taking part in sport and exercise are well documented.
“Not only does it help them stay fit and well, both physically and mentally, but it also enables them to develop their communication and leadership skills, while having fun with their friends.
“I was delighted to be on hand during our visit to pass on a few footballing tips to the youngsters and also spend some time getting to know the ALC staff.
“The Dill Road facility is an amazing place and it’s rewarding to see how our offshore workforce strives to give back to the community in such a meaningful way.”
ALC’s Angie Johnston and Apache Corporation’s Jamie Beagrie with a number of the children who attend ALC’s after-school club
Angie Johnston, charity manager, ALC said: “This donation from Apache is going to make such a huge difference to us, not only in terms of our own services and activities, but also our ability to generate additional income through external hall hire, now that we have a fully lined and marked games hall, with a wide range of sporting equipment.
“Thanks to Apache’s support - along with that of our other supporters – we are well on our way to creating the modern, light, bright and fit-for-purpose facility that we envisaged when we embarked on our renovation programme.”
Mrs Johnston concluded: “We believe all children, young people and their families should have access to excellent facilities and ongoing opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstance.
“With one in five children in Aberdeen living in poverty, helping local families access resources for free or at a reduced cost is so important.
“We cannot thank Apache enough!”
For more information about the ALC visit www.alcaberdeen.org
For more information about Apache visit www.apacorp.com