Sportschallenge, the North-east’s premier sports-themed corporate fundraising dinner, has raised over £125,000 for six charities during its 10th anniversary event, eclipsing previous fundraising totals.
Last night’s event, which was sponsored by Piper Sandler with support from CNR International, raised the funds for four local charities, alongside its long-term beneficiaries, Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland), during a ‘Question of Sport’-style quiz at Aberdeen’s P&J Live.
Alongside Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland), donations raised during the event will also be going to Archway, Friends of the Neuro Ward, Aberdeen Lads Club and Archie’s Child Bereavement Service.
During the event, 76 teams of 10 battled it out in the quiz, with a team from Johnston Carmichael lifting the coveted Sportschallenge trophy at the end of the evening, in a night hosted by sports personalities Alan McInally and Andy Nicol.
Aberdeen-based Archway provides care and support to local children and adults with learning disabilities, many of whom also have associated physical disabilities and complex health needs, and their families.
Friends of the Neuro Ward works closely with NHS staff to buy the right "extras" to improve the comfort and care of patients on the neurological wards at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the rehab unit at Woodend Hospital.
Aberdeen Lads Club provides a range of childcare, youth engagement and family support services from its base in Tillydrone, Aberdeen.
Archie’s Child Bereavement Service, part of The Archie Foundation, supports children who have experienced bereavement and provides them with age-appropriate support and guidance to help them to manage their grief.
Nick Dalgarno, a trustee of Sportschallenge and managing director of Piper Sandler, reflected on a decade of successful Sportschallenge events, which have raised more than £900,000 in total for close to 25 local third-sector organisations.
He said: “Sportschallenge’s 10th anniversary is a milestone in its own right, but we are thrilled to say that we have surpassed our previous fundraising totals, raising a monumental £125,000 for local worthy causes.
“Funds raised during the event will go towards six very deserving charities and we are honoured to be able to play a role in supporting them to provide their essential services, thanks to the generosity of our Sportschallenge attendees. While the event always makes for a fun evening, it was also a privilege to hear from people who have been directly supported by our beneficiaries, which acts as an excellent reminder of why these events are so important.
“Across the past decade, Sportschallenge has brought Aberdeen’s business community together under a common goal, to create real, lasting change for the people of the North-east, and we look forward to many more successful events to come.”
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, said: "We are extremely grateful to Sportschallenge for raising so much money for Archie’s Child Bereavement Service, which will allow us to continue to support children following the death of a loved one, classmate or someone else close to them.
“Thanks to the funds raised, our team of dedicated workers and volunteers will be able to reach and support even more children who have experienced loss and need some help to work through often complex feelings.”
Preparations will soon be underway for the 11th Sportschallenge event, set to be held at P&J Live in September 2025.