STV Appeal is a major charity launched by STV and The Hunter Foundation, set up to raise cash for children affected by poverty in Scotland. To date, the STV Appeal has helped raise over £1.2m in 2011 - grants from which are being made in the 32 local authority areas across Scotland.
On 25th November, Aberlour was presented with a cheque from STV Appeal Trustee, Lorraine Kelly, on behalf of the STV Appeal, for £44,391 for our Dundee based project, Aberlour Bridges.
Aberlour launched Bridges Glasgow in 2008 which works to improve the educational outcomes, health and social wellbeing of children affected by parental substance use in the Glasgow area. The money granted by the STV Appeal will allow the development of a similar service in Dundee in an area of high substance misuse.
It is anticipated that the new service will launch in May 2011 and will benefit in the region of 25 young people in Dundee.
Across Scotland, Aberlour helps children whose lives are affected by parental drug and alcohol dependency; young people with social, educational and behavioural difficulties; children who run away from home; children and young people who have a disability; and helps young children to experience positive parenting, play and early learning.
Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Aberlour, said: “Aberlour Bridges has been running in Glasgow for 3 years and thanks to the generosity of the STV Appeal we are now able help children in Dundee. With so many children needing our support, especially in the early years, we hope to dramatically improve their health & wellbeing and allow them to succeed at school.”
Lorraine Kelly, Trustee of the STV Appeal, said: "It's a real privilege to visit Aberlour and I'm so pleased to meet the team and see first-hand where the money raised is going, and how it will benefit our children and young people. The people of Scotland have been incredibly generous and I'd like to thank them again for supporting such a worthy cause."
Rob Woodward, STV CEO and Trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “The first year of the STV Appeal has been a huge success and the public and our other supporters have been incredibly generous. Every pound raised in Scotland will stay in Scotland. Through the generosity of donors we will be supporting projects right across the country and we’re delighted to be playing our part in supporting Scotland’s young people through providing funding to support proven initiatives.”
Tom Hunter, Trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “This is a small step in a long process. All of us in Scotland need to step up and make poverty eradication our number one priority and within that afford equal opportunity for all Scotland's young people; hopefully, in a way, this programme will do just that.”