Moray garden centre holds car competition to aid children's charity Charlie House
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A LOCAL garden centre is running a competition to support a north-east children's charity – with a Vauxhall Adam car set to make one lucky winner's Christmas.
Christies of Fochabers has thrown its backing behind Aberdeen-based Charlie House throughout 2020. The charity supports babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families, in Moray and the wider north-east.
The garden centre is marking its 200th anniversary this year by running the car contest to support its chosen cause.
Garden centre owners Ronald and Christine Christie and Elgin's Regency Cars have provided the vehicle.
Entrants must answer a question to enter, with tickets costing £2. A prize draw will take place on December 6.
Christies has also taken practical steps to support people with complex disabilities by upgrading its play area with wheelchair-friendly equipment as well as providing an adult-size "changing places" loo, hoist and changing facility.
Kirsty Walker, fundraising co-ordinator for Charlie House, said: "We are extremely grateful to Christine and the team at Christies of Fochabers for organising this fantastic fundraiser for us.
"Charlie House has seen a 70 per cent reduction in income against the same time last year and an 84 per cent increase in the request for our support services.
"The car competition generously organised by Christies will raise vital funds for Charlie House at a time when we need them most.
"Nearly all of our face-to-face events have been cancelled this year so these additional funds will enable us to continue our work in the north-east and to support babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families.
"We wish everyone the best of luck in the prize draw and look forward to hearing about the lucky car winner."
Meanwhile, one north-east couple completed a 1000-mile walk this month to boost the charity which provides invaluable support for their grandson.
Alan and Sheila Williamson, from Kintore, have raised £2600 so far by taking on the Charlie House 1000 Miles Challenge 2020 in January.
Their grandson, Dylan Whyte (3), suffers from an extremely rare genetic disorder, Aicardi Goutieres Syndrome.
They are matching any donations up to £500 made during November and December. Anyone who would like to donate can visit the couple's Just Giving page here.
Charlie House has a long-term project to build an £8 million centre within Woodend Hospital, in Aberdeen. The eight-bedroom facility will provide a dedicated space and support for the children and their families.
