Piper Sandler's SportsChallenge scored over £100,000 for North-east charities

Sportschallenge, the North-east’s premier sports-themed corporate fundraising dinner, has raised over £100,000 for five local charities.

Funds raised during the popular event, which is now in its ninth year, will be split between three worthy North-east causes as well as its long-term beneficiaries, Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland).

Last night’s event, which was sponsored by Piper Sandler with support from CNR International, brought together 70 teams of ten from businesses across Scotland to battle it out at P&J Live in a Question of Sport-style quiz for the coveted Sportschallenge trophy. The night was hosted by former footballers and sports personalities Alan McInally and Charlie Nicholas.

As well as Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland), funds from the event will be going to Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND), The Bread Maker and Inchgarth Community Centre.

A-ND was the first organisation of its kind to offer help and support to autistic individuals, their families and wider support networks in the North-east of Scotland.

The Bread Maker is a social enterprise that provides training, employment and an environment of social inclusion at its bakery and coffee shop, for adults with mild to moderate learning difficulties.

Inchgarth Community Centre is one of Aberdeen’s biggest community centres, serving around 130,000 people annually, offering a range of fitness and language classes, activity sessions, clubs and houses a well-used foodbank.

The amount raised is an increase of at least £30,000 on the total from last year’s event.

Nick Dalgarno, Sportschallenge trustee and managing director of Piper Sandler, said: “This year’s total has surpassed all expectations and we’re thrilled that more charities will now benefit as a result of the generosity of local businesses.

“Every year, I am blown away by the level of support we receive from the Aberdeen business community, who have yet again come out in force, with a 20% increase in our attendance from last year.

“The funds raised will help these local charities continue to provide essential services to the people of Aberdeen and the North-east.”

Donald Anderson, CEO at The Bread Maker, said: “Fundraising events and support from the local community play vital roles in allowing us to continue supporting people with learning difficulties to feel empowered with employment training at our bakery.

“We plan on using the generous funding from the Sportschallenge event to convert part of our premises into a new working area. Fitted out with new flooring, lighting, heating and toilet facilities, the space will allow us to run a larger number of learning and development workshops and to ensure we can have more one-on-one time with our apprentices.”

Alongside headline sponsors, Piper Sandler and CNR International, Blackwood Partners, Azets, Global E&C, Centurion UK and Cala Homes also supported the event.

Earlier this year, Sportschallenge agreed to a three-year deal with Aberdeen’s P&J Live that will see the event held at the venue until at least 2025. Plans are currently underway for the tenth edition of Sportschallenge next year, which is set to be the biggest event yet.