A charity that supports vulnerable women and children is to use the proceeds from a cycle challenge to help meet “unprecedented” demand for its support in the North-east.
Stella’s Voice, a charity that responds to referrals from local authorities, charities, and other agencies to support women and children with emergency re-housing essentials used the funding to keep delivery vehicles running and ensure household items such as sofas, washing machines, beds, and clothing get to those in need in the North-east.
It was one of four UK charities to receive funding from the 2024 bp Coast 2-Coast fundraiser which saw riders cover 225 miles between Dumfries and Aberdeen over three days in June.
The endurance challenge, now in its 15th year, raised nearly £165, 000 for Archie’s Child Bereavement Service, Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland at River Garden and Myeloma UK, as well as Stella’s Voice.
Mark Morgan and Gordon Davies from Stella's Voice
Mark Morgan, CEO at Stella’s Voice, who provided support vehicles for the Coast 2 Coast cycle, said: “Without support from bp’s Coast 2 Coast, a lot of people would not have been helped. Like every charity, we have had rising costs, and our core costs have gone up this year. Even keeping up with last year’s demand has been hard but the growing demand we have seen leaves a challenge in terms of how we meet it.
“Over the past 30 years, we have been asked to supply a mattress once or twice for NHS patients who cannot be discharged from hospital because they don’t have a bed to sleep in. In the last year, we have received a mattress request significantly more times than in the last 30 years. The funding from Coast 2 Coast is invaluable to us.”
This year 60 current and former bp staff took part in the cycle with the bp Foundation matching money raised by current employees – doubling the value of the contributions.
In addition to the cycle, bp organised a Coast 2 Coast ceilidh at Elphinstone Hall, which raised an additional almost £1,200 for the four nominated charities.
bp industrial hygienist Emma Thomson is part of the Coast 2 Coast organising committee. She said:
“We are over the moon to have raised nearly £165K this year, which is almost £330 more per rider than in 2023, to help charities like Stella’s Voice make a real difference to communities in need, especially during challenging times for individuals and families.
“We are grateful to all our riders for their efforts over the past 15 years. Without their commitment and dedication, none of this would be possible.”