A team from estate and lettings agency Northwood North East blazed a trail when they walked across hot coals, rounding off a year of ‘giving back’ to the local community to mark the company’s 15th anniversary.
Eighty people, including staff from all three offices in Aberdeen, Banchory and Inverurie, together with their partners, contractors and clients enjoyed an evening of fun at Elsick House, which kicked off with a sponsored fire walk.
More than £4,000 was raised during the evening which, together with funds raised during a charity walk earlier this year, took the total to £7,500 for three local charities – Banchory-based Forget-Me-Not, Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club and Friends of Anchor.
Since opening its doors in 2008, the focus of Northwood North East has been to ‘love and live local’, with more than £45,000 raised and donated to local charities in the past 15 years.
With the special anniversary of Northwood approaching, the team last year took the unanimous decision to mark the milestone by ‘giving back’ with a calendar of philanthropic endeavours which would benefit 15 different charities and organisations.
Northwood’s 15 X 15 Programme involved members of the team offering their services to different organisations throughout the region, starting in January with Somebody Cares, with the team helping to sort through donations in the charity’s warehouse and shop.
Since then, they have undertaken all sorts - from odd jobs to painting, jet-washing to sorting, mucking-out and bathing tortoises to weeding and counting puzzle pieces - helping outstanding charities including Somebody Cares, Befriend a Child, SensationALL, HomeStart, Maggie’s, Halfpenny Animal Sanctuary, Cyrenians, MISS Miscarriage Support, Denis Law Trust, Mission Christmas, JAS Counselling and Grampian Women’s Aid.
Owner and director of the award-winning company, Laura Mearns, described the evening as the ‘perfect end’ to a rewarding year of working alongside many organisations and charities which are the backbone of the communities in which it works.
“Fourteen of us took part in the fire walk, which was nerve-wracking but exhilarating – everyone was on such a high,” said Laura.
“It was a great way to conclude a year of support for our local communities, while raising vital funds for three great charities which are close to our hearts. This was the perfect way to celebrate them.
“Whether fundraising, volunteering or attending workshops, we have learned a huge amount about understanding, empathy, respecting and valuing others from different backgrounds.
"The sense of accomplishment and pride everyone has taken in helping these organisations over the past few months are palpable. This has had a very positive effect on us all.”