Christmas has come early for five North-east charities as £110,000, raised during Piper Sandler’s recent Sportschallenge event, is handed out.

The record level of funds raised at the popular event have been split between its long-term beneficiaries, Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland), and three other smaller local causes.

Sportschallenge, the North-east’s premier sports-themed corporate fundraising dinner, which is now entering its 10th year, is sponsored by Piper Sandler with support from CNR International.

The 2023 event, which took place in September, saw 70 teams of ten from local businesses battle it out at P&J Live in a Question of Sport-style quiz, hosted by former footballers and sports personalities Alan McInally and Charlie Nicholas.

Alongside Maggie’s Aberdeen and Children’s Aid (Scotland), donations have been gifted to Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND), social enterprise The Bread Maker and Inchgarth Community Centre.

The Bread Maker will use the funds to convert part of its premises into a new learning and development workspace for its apprentices, fitting its space with new flooring, lighting, heating and toilet facilities.

A-ND plans to further its support for autistic individuals, their families and wider support networks in the North-east of Scotland with the money raised.

Inchgarth Community Centre, which is one of the city’s biggest community centres, will continue to provide support, including its range of classes, activities, and foodbank facilities, to the people of Aberdeen.

Nick Dalgarno, managing director of Piper Sandler and a trustee of Sportschallenge, said:
“Being able to hand over the funds to our chosen charities is always a highlight of Sportschallenge.

“All the Sportschallenge trustees enjoy getting out to meet with representatives from our beneficiaries and this year was no different. We were very warmly welcomed at Inchgarth’s pensioners club Christmas lunch, the Breadmakers staff Christmas craft night and even took part in a yoga session at Maggies, all of which allowed us to experience first-hand the upstanding work being done by our charities.

“Thanks to the generosity of those who attended this year’s event, we have been able to raise a record amount of money which will go towards furthering the fantastic work each charity provides to the people of the North-east.”

During the event, Terry Allan, CEO of engineering firm Global E&C and chairman of A-ND, gave an impassioned speech, sharing his experiences of raising a neurodiverse child, his thoughts on the meaning of charity and the importance of events, such as Sportschallenge, in supporting life enhancing local causes.

He said:
"Sportschallenge is the biggest quiz night of the year, and we were honoured to be selected as one its charity partners. As I said in my speech on the night, charity is all about love, and events like Sportschallenge are all about caring for our communities.

“Receiving the funds raised by the generous attendees at the event means the world to everyone at A-ND, and we will use the money to continue providing support to more than 150 autistic and neurodiverse individuals, their families and their support networks throughout Aberdeen and North East Scotland.”

Alongside headline sponsors, Piper Sandler and CNR International, this year’s Sportschallenge event was supported by Blackwood Partners, Azets, Global E&C, Centurion UK and Cala Homes.

Preparations are currently underway for the 10th edition of Sportschallenge, which is set to be held on Thursday, 12 September 2024 at P&J Live. Table bookings are now open for the event with a limited number of sponsorship opportunities also now available.

To register a table of 10 people for Sportschallenge 2024, please click here.