A North-east charity’s Christmas Eve Box appeal has received a big boost thanks to Converged Communication Solutions.
The Scottish IT and cyber security firm has donated £2k worth of items to AberNecessities’s 'No Child Should Go Without Believing in Magic’ campaign. Staff from Converged hit the Granite City’s shops to purchase books, pyjamas, hats and scarves, puzzles, gift vouchers and more to include in the festive packs being put together by the charity for underprivileged children in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
AberNecessities runs its annual Christmas Eve box campaign to add some much-needed sparkle to the festive season for babies and children whose families are living in poverty. Each box is filled with around £35 worth of items that will make the night before Christmas as memorable as possible for the youngsters ahead of a visit from Santa Claus.
Two staff from Converged recently spent a day at AberNecessities’s office to assist with the campaign, helping to create Christmas Eve boxes for some of the 1,000-plus children supported by the charity this festive period. Converged also provided further elf power and use of a company van, to deliver some of the Christmas Eve boxes to identified children via schools across the North-east.
Founded in 2019, AberNecessities is a non-profit charity that supports disadvantaged families living in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Throughout the year it provides critical products that are needed to care for babies and children, such as formula milk, nappies, baby equipment, bedding and nearly new clothing, and distributes them directly to the families in crisis. To date, it has assisted over 8,000 children across the north-east.
Neil Christie, managing director, Converged Communication Solutions, said: “Many of us are fortunate to recall having brilliant Christmases as children, where some fantastic memories were created, and not necessarily because of a flashy toy. On learning that many youngsters across the North-east may miss out on that due to limited family finances, we at Converged wanted to step up and assist AberNecessities with its Christmas Eve box appeal.
“It is great that the charity has created this initiative which not only gives children a Christmas Eve treat, but also provides them with some warm sleepwear and outdoor wear for the winter ahead.
“We genuinely feel privileged that we’re in a position to help make Christmas magical for these kids and the thought of them tucking into hot chocolate while playing games will have us smiling on Christmas Eve.”
Michelle Herd, co-founder of AberNecessities, said: “We are extremely grateful to Converged for stepping forward and supporting our Christmas Eve box initiative by donating a substantial number of items and importantly, staff time and resources. Our 'No Child Should Go Without Believing in Magic’ campaign is designed to make the festive season extra special for children and families living in poverty in the north-east by gifting some special treats to add some extra sparkle.
“We have seen a substantial increase in applications for our Christmas campaign as well as from families struggling to provide warm winter clothing for their little ones. The incredible support we have received from our corporate sponsors and wonderful community has been overwhelming - in the most positive and heart-warming way. We have received beautiful items from pyjamas and winter coats, socks and slippers and of course toys and sweet treats to ensure we can continue to provide a little Christmas Magic this year."
Converged Communication Solutions is an independent, Aberdeen-headquartered IT support, telephony and Internet service provider. Established in 2005, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a fully integrated communications company with around 30 staff, which includes a strong technical support team. The firm provides organisations across Scotland with a single and accountable service for their telephony, Internet, networking and cybersecurity requirements. Converged is an official partner of CityFibre’s Aberdeen project and has a strategic partnership with leading data centre provider brightsolid. More information about Converged Communication Solutions is available at www.converged.co.uk or telephoning 01224 656380.