Company's support for north-east charity Maggie's Aberdeen tips over £1m mark
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A new £30,000 donation has tipped Apache North Sea’s overall support for Maggie’s Aberdeen over the £1 million mark.
It has resulted in the oil and natural gas exploration and production company becoming the charity’s largest individual benefactor.
Apache’s offshore charity bond committee has been one of Maggie’s biggest cheerleaders, initially supporting the build project for the Foresterhill building on the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary site while it was still on the architect’s drawing board.
Over the years, the offshore workforce has contributed an extraordinary seven-figure sum to underpin every part of Maggie’s work in the north-east.
The most recent donation will be used to sustain the benefits advice service, a crucial element in helping people across the region who are living with cancer.
People with cancer and their families regularly face money worries because of their diagnosis, and many struggle to navigate the application process or are simply unaware of what assistance is available.
Maggie’s offers expert advice to guide people through the options and to give practical help with things like welfare payments, parking permits, filling out forms and dealing with changes in personal circumstances.
In the last 10 years alone, this work has unlocked nearly £8.7 million – a huge help to individuals and those closest to them, especially during the cost of living crisis.
Jeff Yates, vice-president, North Sea asset, and member of Apache’s bond committee, which manages funds generated by the company’s workforce through sales of confectionary and other items on its offshore platforms, said: “It is important for our offshore workforce to know that the money they raise every day on our North Sea platforms is benefitting people in our local communities.
“It is remarkable that this latest £30,000 donation will have a multiplying effect on people in terms of financial support for them and their families following a cancer diagnosis.
“We are delighted that our team has managed to donate more than £1 million to Maggie’s Aberdeen and support this wonderful local charity.
"Apache is committed to working with community partners to create a lasting positive impact.”
Richard Stewart, centre fundraising manager at Maggie’s Aberdeen, said: “As more people are living longer with cancer, and diagnosis rates increase, the need for the professional support on offer at Maggie’s is increasing in demand. We see around 10,000 visitors every year and know this figure will only increase.
“That’s why we are so thankful for this latest donation from Apache to help us provide more benefits and support to people across the north-east.
"Our services in this area are needed now more than ever as more people with cancer are affected by the cost of living crisis.
“Our partnership with Apache has been an ongoing source of help and inspiration since our inception. As we embark on our second decade in the city, we cannot underestimate how much of a difference these donations made to the lives of so many individuals.
“So, we offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Apache for their role in the centre's success so far, and we very much look forward to our relationship continuing.”
