A time for giving all across the council

I would like to thank all of the Aberdeenshire Council employees who came forward with suggestions for my annual Christmas donation to charity. The number of suggestions that were offered shows the wealth of philanthropic initiatives that have been undertaken in the north-east and the good will held by its residents all year round, not just at Christmas.

This year, which will mark my final Christmas donation as Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Council, I will be giving to SensationALL, a ‘multi-sensory play centre’ based in Westhill for children and young adults with multiple support needs. SensationALL was created following the closure of the Raeden Centre in 2011 and aims to provide a facility that offers accessibility and inclusion for children, young adults and their families who may not be catered for in mainstream play centres.

Carrying on the festive and charitable theme it is pleasing to see that many staff are taking advantage of dress down Friday this week to participate in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper appeal. Any council employee wishing to take part, subject to the needs of the service and manager discretion, can donate £2 by texting TEAMACXMAS1 to 70050 and wear their jumper with pride on the 12th.