Since AABi’S inception in 2016, AAB staff have raised over £130,000 and donated over 4,600 hours of volunteer time and during lockdown have committed their latest funding allocation to Aberdeen/shire and Edinburgh charities the Denis Law Legacy, TrYthan, Edinburgh Headway Group, Venture Trust and The Moira Anderson Foundation.

Denis Law Legacy Trust, a registered charity that operates and delivers a number of ‘free to access’ programs and activities for young people in their local communities, will receive funding for the purchase of a ‘Panna Knock-out ring’ for their Street Football sessions. This piece of equipment will give young people across Aberdeen the opportunity to participate in Panna Street Football free of charge.

TrYthan, a triathlon group based in Ellon, will receive funding from AABi to cover the costs of turbo trainers and trainer rollers for bikes to enable the junior members of the club to stay active and connected during the colder, dark winter months. The club has 58 members, 28 of which are juniors, and welcome those of all capabilities to improve their technique and build lasting friendships with likeminded people. Having a sense of community at a time like this is vital, and this indoor equipment will allow for the juniors to maintain this as we step into the winter months.

Edinburgh Headway Group, a charity AABi has previously supported, will have the costs of new gardening equipment covered by AABi to support their new gardening group for people who have suffered brain injuries. The garden group will maintain their new outdoor space that will be a place of peace for those suffering the injuries and their families.

Venture Trust, who provide support to those in long term unemployment, addiction recovery, homelessness and involvement in the criminal justice system have received funding to pay for 10 sessions of their new Greenspace therapy programme. The programme will provide one to one ‘walk and talk’ outdoor therapy sessions for young people struggling with their mental wellbeing.

Following on from an increase in demand for their services, The Moira Anderson Foundation has extended their premises, with AABi donating funding to cover the costs of furniture and toys for a new playroom to deliver play therapy for children who have experienced sexual abuse.

Graeme Allan, AAB Chief Executive and AABi Trustee, emphasised the importance of fulfilling the 2020 grant rounds: “Although at the time there was uncertainty as to when the projects that AABi pledged to support would take place, we always knew we would continue this program that has given a helping hand to over 80 fantastic charities in the past four years.

“This was the time that charities needed us the most, and to provide hope and a light at the end of the tunnel for them and their service users was something we knew we had to do. As lockdown eases, some projects have been able to begin, and we are so looking forward to seeing how things progress.”

As well as the grant round process, AABi also provides seasonal support and collections. Graeme Allan added: “Before the AAB offices closed, our employees had pledged to donate food to C-Fine and clothing and household items to Home-Start, as well as pledging to donate gifts for the children who use the services of The Yard in Edinburgh. We’re very much planning on continuing these collections when we are back in the office, and these plans are also helping everyone at AAB stay positive.”

Previous recipients of the funding have included Home-Start, a charity which helps families with young children through challenging times, with sponsorship and donations, CLAN Cancer support, Aberdeen Care and Repair, Sue Ryder Dee View Court and The Yard, a charity which creates inclusive adventure play experiences for disabled children and young people, to fund activities for their 10 – 14 club.