Aberdeen’s oil and gas sector is coming together to back the city’s third sector with a number of companies signing up as main sponsors for Celebrate Aberdeen 2019.
CNOOC International is this year’s platinum sponsor with Wood, CNR International and Chrysaor confirmed as gold sponsors.
They are now calling for more industry representatives, along with businesses from across all other sectors, to join them in supporting the annual Celebrate Aberdeen activities which showcase and raise awareness of the vital contribution the third sector makes to society.
Ray Riddoch, Managing Director UK & Sr. VP Europe and Africa, said: “CNOOC International is delighted to support Celebrate Aberdeen. Giving back to the communities where we live and work is at the heart of CNOOC International’s values. Our support of Celebrate Aberdeen reflects the importance that we place on supporting the third sector and the excellent work they do.”
Celebrate Aberdeen, a non-profit organisation, is planned and run entirely by a small team of volunteers. It is completely reliant on the external financial support it receives from the business community. Without that, the Celebrate Aberdeen parade and other weekend activities on August 24/25 and the Celebrate Aberdeen awards on September 14 could not take place.
Sponsorship packages, ranging from £300 parade sponsors to £3,000 award sponsors, are still available. Aberdeen Inspired, Hampton, CALA Homes and Spree have already signed up as awards sponsors, but the fundraising continues.
The Celebrate Aberdeen parade, now in its 8th year, is the highlight of the August weekend activities. Last year around 5,000 people associated with more than a hundred organisations took part in the mile-long parade down Union Street. Other activities that weekend include the Union Street Mile races.
The second Celebrate Aberdeen Awards will be one of the first events at the new TECA. The inaugural event was attended by 475 people and this year numbers are expected to be even higher with additional awards categories added. Sponsorship is vital to ensure finalist organisations can attend the event for free.
Celebrate Aberdeen founder Morven Mackenzie said: “Celebrate Aberdeen 2019 could not happen without the generosity of platinum sponsor CNOOC International and our gold sponsors Wood, CNR International and Chrysaor. We hope their support will be the catalyst for other companies to come on board.
“We’re grateful every year for the support we get from across the business community, from sole traders and SMEs up to the global oil and gas sector. The third sector plays an important role in all our lives and this is our way of thanking them and shining a spotlight on their contribution. Securing more award and parade sponsors will be essential in helping us do that.”
Barry Duncan, VP Finance, CNR International, said: “CNR International has been a supporter of Celebrate Aberdeen since its inception in 2011. I am delighted that we have been able to contribute to the growth of this fantastic initiative during this time. One of our core values is to be an outstanding corporate citizen, and supporting an event that celebrates Aberdeen and, in particular, the excellent work performed by the third sector in the region, is an excellent way to deliver this.
“I would also pay tribute to everybody involved in organising the event and to the businesses who are supporting this year’s event. I’d encourage other local businesses to get involved, to ensure that we fully celebrate all that is positive about our city.”
Dave Stewart, CEO of Wood Asset Solutions Europe, Africa, Asia & Australia, said: “Wood is strongly committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. This is reflected in our sponsorship of Celebrate Aberdeen; a valuable opportunity to shine a light on the commendable and highly important work of a diverse range of charities making a real difference to the lives of people in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.”
Emma Spence, Chrysaor Excellence and Communications Director said: “Chrysaor is delighted to be supporting Celebrate Aberdeen.  What they do to highlight the incredible work of the third sector here in Aberdeen is incredibly important and all done by a very small team of very special volunteers.”