New calendar is launched by north-east sensory support services charity
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A popular charity calendar featuring some of the north-east’s beauty spots and wildlife is on sale for a third year.
North East Sensory Services (NESS) has produced the 2024 calendar using photographs taken by the charity’s fundraising manager, Caroline Rutherford.
The calendar features 12 stunning images from around the north-east and all funds raised will support the charity’s life-changing work for people with visual and hearing impairments across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Moray and Angus.
Caroline, a keen amateur photographer, captured the images while walking throughout the north-east.
The calendar features scenic shots of Clachnaben, Burghead Beach and the River Tay; landmarks such as the Aberdeen skyline, House of Dun and Dundee’s Discovery Quay; and wildlife images of basking seals and a robin.
Last year the calendar raised £670 to support NESS’s work and the charity is hoping that the 2024 calendar will prove to be just as popular.
NESS supports around 6500 people with a range of services, including social work, employment support, rehabilitation for visual impairment, support for young people, equipment to support daily living, British Sign Language services and lipreading classes.
The calendar is sponsored by Scotland’s Bothy, STATS Group, Angus Society for the Blind, The Garlogie Inn, Hall Morrice, and Abn Works.
It includes touching comments from service users and their families.
Calendars, priced at £7.50 each or £12 for two, are available from NESS’s resource centres in Aberdeen, Dundee and Elgin, by phoning 0345 271 2345 or emailing susan.mckay@nesensoryservices.org
Caroline said: “I’m so happy to be able to use my hobby to support the services that make such a difference to the lives of people experiencing sensory loss.
"It is very easy for people to become lonely, isolated or to do less when their hearing and sight are affected, but NESS does so much to help people live their lives to the full and every day I see the difference NESS makes.
“I really enjoyed taking and choosing the photographs – my favourite is December’s bright-eyed robin, which I think is seasonal and also very cheerful.”
Graham Findlay, chief executive of NESS, said: “We were blown away by the support for Caroline’s beautiful calendar over the last two years, and we know that the 2024 calendar will be every bit as special.
“I have personally enjoyed having her images up on my wall throughout the year and I know it will be a great gift to share this Christmas.
“We are immensely grateful to Caroline for giving up her time to take these amazing photographs of the wildlife and scenery in the areas where we support service users.
“We want to make sure everyone in the north-east with a sensory impairment is given all the support they need to live as independently as possible and participate normally in society.
“Thanks to Caroline, all our generous sponsors, and everyone who buys a calendar, we can make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of blind and deaf people across the region.”
Visit www.nesensoryservices.org for more information about the charity.
