Club members have been particularly active over many years in their efforts to raise funds for and give practical support to a range of charitable causes and especially those which support women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.
Locally we support Grampian Women’s Aid which offers a free and confidential, specialist service to women, children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who have experienced domestic abuse.(http://grampian-womens-aid.com).
Members have volunteered to help in the local charity shop, donated funds and a variety of items to Aberdeen Cyrenians which gives advice on homeless issues and housing, debt management, guidance on job applications, and access to food , clothing, toiletries and household items.(http://weareac.org). We have made contributions of funds and food to Instant Neighbour which supports people locally on low incomes to set up home (http://instantneighbour.co.uk) and to Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) (http://cfine.org) which provides a range of support and services for disadvantaged and vulnerable low income families and communities. Funds have been raised by members who ‘dress up’ for the local branch of Marie Curie and volunteer to collect donations at local supermarkets. (http://mariecurie.org.uk)
Following a member’s talk about her trek to Everest base camp a donation was made to the charity, ‘Days for Girls’ which works in countries around the world including in Nepal, to provide menstrual health education and training for women and girls to produce and sell period pad kits and therefore, support their families. (http://www.daysforgirls.org)
A Strawberry tea raised funds for ‘Stella’s Voice‘ a charity, founded in 1996, which provides care, education and employment to protect young women from traffickers ( http://stella’svoice.org.uk). Funds have been donated to the local branch of CHASS (Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland) whose strategy ‘No Life Half Lived’ ensures that anyone with chest, heart and stroke conditions as well as Long Covid can live well. (http://chss.org.uk). By tending to dedicated gardens at the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and at a local cemetery and crematorium we continue to support SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) whose aim is to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, and MISS, a charity providing support for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss in Aberdeen. (http://sands.org.uk) (http://miss-support.org.uk)
The garden is a busy place, attracting more than 20,000 visitors a year and manned by volunteers who work in the garden and serve in the cafe. We have enjoyed several cuppas and home bakes as well as the many aspects of the extensive garden. Members are delighted to continue to support the garden in the coming years.