Charity
Mackenzie & Cruickshank are proud to support local charities with their fundraising, and raise awareness of their cause.
The nominated charities for 2023/2024 are:
MS Society Moray Group
With over 130,000 people living with MS in the UK, the MS Society fund world-leading research with the vision that they will find treatment for everyone and the world will eventually become free from the effects of MS.
The Moray group is one of 250 local groups that are on hand to connect people affected by MS with other people from the community and provide information on local services.
Volunteer Dot said: “Supporting our charity means we can reach out to more of the public with our information pamphlets. Any money raised will help MS sufferers in Moray to attend activities suited to their needs and social gatherings.”
Riding for the Disabled, Forres, Nairn & District
The local group was establis
hed in 1982 and is located at Muiryhall Equestrian. Using eight lovely ponies, and run entirely by volunteers, the group provides 45 minute sessions to a total of 32 children from the surrounding area totally free of charge every Monday. They are the only RDA group in the UK that makes no charge to its riders. With each Monday costing in excess of £730 that means they have to raise over £23,000 each year. Their aim is to bring the fun of horses to as many people as possible while providing therapeutic riding lessons.
By partnering with M&C, in addition to fundraising, the group is hoping to recruit more volunteers and raise awareness of the work they do locally.
A representative from RDA, Forres, Nairn & District said: “We are delighted to be invited to partner with Mackenzie and Cruickshank, a highly successful and respected local business. We are really grateful for the opportunity to work together and raise funds for our group and let people know what we do.”.
1st Forres Scout Group
There has been a Scouting presence in Forres for over 100 years! 1st Forres Scout Group run sections for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers with age ranges between 6 & 18. Today, approximately 100 young people attend regularly. The ethos of Scouting is #skillsforlife and 1st Forres Scouts try to instill these skills through a balanced and varied program of activities focusing for example on teamwork, self confidence and most importantly fun. Activities ranging from abseiling to zorbing by way of camping, sailing, hiking, navigation, attending outdoor theatre and of course knot tying provide informative and unforgettable experiences.
The scout group is active in the community providing assistance at events, helping out with other organisations such as the Dava Way Association and running the ever popular Scout Post.
Entirely volunteer led, the Scout Group depends on new recruits to the leadership team to continue supporting the young people of Forres.
Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation
A
bbie’s Sparkle Foundation is a Scottish children’s cancer charity, helping to provide much needed sparkle to the lives of children living with cancer and their families. They provide gifts and grants (otherwise known as sparkles!) with the aim of putting a smile on the face of a child who is facing challenges due to cancer.
The charity was set up on the request of Abbie who, having lived with Sarcoma for four years, sadly passed away on Christmas Day 2017. It was Abbie’s wish to raise money for “hospitals and stuff” and through the dedicated hard work of her family and friends who run the charity, her wish has been granted!
In 2019 Abbie’s Sparkle Lodge was opened in Dalraddy Holiday Park near Aviemore and welcomes families with Children affected by cancer for a no cost stay, to share fund times and make memories.
A representative from Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation said: "Abbie's Sparkle Foundation is grateful to Mackenzie and Cruickshank for the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Abbie's Sparkles. Funds raised will continue to be used to support Children affected by cancer by giving them gifts, treats and holidays at Abbie's Sparkle Lodge. We appreciate all the support from our generous and kind community that makes this all possible."