CLAN Cancer Support

Two leading north-east charities are to benefit from a clothes collection organised by a generous oil operator.

Staff at BP are to donate clothing to both CLAN Cancer Support and Inspire, with both charities planning to use the collection for fundraising and support purposes.

CLAN will use the clothes to stock its burgeoning Rosemount and Chapel Street charity shops. The outlets have seen a busy start to the year and provide a wide range of men’s and ladies garments, with all funds raised from the shops going directly to the charity’s provision of free cancer support services across the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

BP has already been working with people that Inspire supports, providing work experience opportunities within the staff restaurant operated by Aramark at its Dyce base. The work experience programme aims to help increase confidence and employability and a selection of the clothes donated as part of the collection will be made available to those who are attending interviews for work on completion of their placement.

Both charities are now hoping that the collection from BP will encourage other businesses and companies within Aberdeen and the surrounding area to come forward with similar donations.

Tim Smith, vice president of communications and external affairs at BP, said: “We are delighted with the response from staff and contractors who were keen to get involved. In the two weeks the collection has been running we have amassed an incredible 300 kgs of clothing which will be put to good use by both CLAN and Inspire.”

Kevin Forrest, employment officer at Inspire, said: “Our students face a range of barriers moving into the workplace, and having the correct clothing to attend an interview and start a new job can make a huge difference.

“The generosity of the staff at BP will allow some of the people we support to feel confident in taking the next steps towards employment.”

BP has also further strengthened its relationship with CLAN by returning to sponsor its annual lunch for the fourth year in a row. The fundraiser, which will take place at the Marcliffe Hotel on Wednesday, April 23, saw over £17,000 raised at last year’s event, with BP’s continued support enabling every penny to go directly to the charity.

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said: “This fantastic double boost that BP has given CLAN is a great start to the year; its support of our lunch really has been one of the contributing factors to its success and growth over the last three years.

“The clothes collection by the kind staff members of BP is greatly appreciated by everyone associated with CLAN. Our charity shops are always on the hunt for men’s and ladies clothing and this latest donation will be a massive help in allowing both to continue to provide quality outfits for a low price.”

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

Inspire empower life choices of adults, young people and children with learning disabilities and additional support needs in North East Scotland. Its mission is to be a leading charity in the field of learning disabilities and other support needs, developing a range of competitive services to facilitate an inclusive and integrated community through involvement of people it supports and employees, enabling empowerment of individuals and encouraging potential to build independent lives.

For further information on Inspire, please visit http://www.inspireonline.org.uk/