Support worth £100,000 has been donated to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), a record sum for one of Edinburgh Airport’s corporate charities.
It comes as Edinburgh-based The Yard is announced as the airport’s new corporate charity for 2019. The Yard work with children and young people with additional support needs.
The support was donated through a range of activities, including advertising space, a staff runway run and a variety of intern fundraising initiatives. Sealed, untampered liquids that were confiscated in the security hall were donated to be used as raffle prizes by SCAA, while on site bucket and foreign coin collections also contributed to the total.
The airport will now work closely with The Yard over the next twelve months after a staff vote. More than 120 applications were received before it was whittled down to a shortlist of nine, with The Yard coming out on top.
Anna Light, Head of Engagement said:
“Our corporate charity is something we all rally behind and our staff are at the heart of this record sum because they have supported SCAA throughout 2018 in a variety of ways, be it bake sales, sponsored cycles and even running the Edinburgh Marathon. We’ve had a great year with SCAA and we really value the relationship we have with them because they do crucial work across the country, saving lives and keeping people safe every single day.
“We are really looking forward to working with The Yard in 2019, finding out more about their fantastic initiative and helping to raise awareness of their work and brand. It’s always great to hear about the important work charities do and I’m sure our staff will be inspired to raise the bar again.”
David Craig, Chief Executive of SCAA, said Edinburgh Airport’s outstanding support would help save and improve many lives across Scotland:
“To be chosen by the staff to receive their support and backing as their charity partner throughout 2018 was a great honour and a wonderful boost for us during our fifth anniversary year,” he said. “It was a pleasure to work with the country’s busiest airport and witness the enthusiastic efforts and hard work of staff and supporters in making this fantastic donation possible.
“Staff at Edinburgh Airport have helped to keep SCAA flying into the future and we can’t thank them enough on behalf of the many people – as yet unknown – whose lives they will touch.”
Chief Executive of The Yard, Celine Sinclair, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be chosen by the staff of Edinburgh Airport to be the charity of the year for 2019. Their support will mean we can provide even more fun filled adventures for disabled children and young people across Edinburgh and beyond. We look forward to welcoming them to The Yard family and working together in the year ahead.”