Christmas Cracker event raises incredible amount for CLAN
Kind-hearted individuals and businesses came together at the weekend to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds at a leading cancer support charity’s annual Christmas event.
More than £130,000 was raised at CLAN Cancer Support’s Christmas Cracker ball on November 22, which has become one of the charity’s most popular fundraising events.
Guests at the Dolphin Drilling sponsored event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) were treated to a three-course meal and put their best bids forward for the silent auction, while also enjoying a tombola.
Attendees also heard an inspiring talk from 19 year-old Emily Findlay. Emily was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer affecting children and young people, when she was just 14 years-old and after two years of treatment and a further 18 months of remission, the cancer returned at the start of this year.
Along with telling her story, Emily was also the inspiration behind one of the most popular auction lots made available on the night. Well-known Orkney jeweller, Sheila Fleet OBE, donated a diamond daisy necklace and matching earrings to the event, with the pieces forming part of a special collection entitled ‘Daisies for Emily’, designed in honour of the 19 year-old.
For every sale from the ‘Daisies for Emily’ collection a contribution is made to the Orkney Charitable Trust to help support Emily and her family.
The pieces donated to CLAN for the event fetched an impressive £3,200, with all funds raised in total on the night going towards CLAN’s provision of free support services to anyone affected by cancer across the north and north-east of Scotland.
Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said: “The Christmas Cracker has grown in popularity year on year, and has become an integral part of our fundraising efforts. We have been taken aback by the generosity of local people and north-east businesses, and are so grateful for their continued support of CLAN.
“The evening was a tremendous success and we are delighted to have raised over £130,000 on the night. We would like to thank our main sponsor Dolphin Drilling and all our other sponsors and guests for helping make it such an incredible night.
“Emily’s talk really was a touching moment and we’re so grateful for both her and Sheila’s support throughout the night. The diamond daisy necklace and earrings are beautiful pieces and I’m sure they will be worn with pride by the person who purchased them during the auction.”
The Christmas Cracker auction saw popular lots ranging from a relaxing stay at a villa in either Spain or Tenerife to an indulgent weekend at Logie House go under the hammer.
CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.
Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org
