Leading Scottish construction company, City Building, has presented two charities with £10,000 each following successful fundraising activities.
The cheques were awarded to Kidney Research UK and Beatson Cancer Charity at Glasgow City Chambers following a charity golf day jointly organised by the company, and the Lord Provost’s and International Office, at Sandyhills Golf Course at the end of last year.
City Building with support from its suppliers and staff from the Lord Provost’s and International Office raised the money organising a range of activities including auctions, longest drive competitions and beat the pro challenges.
City Building selected Beatson Cancer Charity and Kidney Research UK as their corporate charities in early 2014 as part of its community engagement programme allowing the firm to give something back to the city.
They were chosen because a number of City Building staff have family and friends affected by cancer and kidney disease. They were keen to help the charities and highlight their important roles supporting people with serious illnesses.
Kidney Research UK is the largest charity of its kind dedicated to funding research into the causes and prevention of the disease in the UK. The money raised by City Building and the Lord Provost’s office will be used for research projects to improve treatments. The charity’s ultimate aim is to find a cure for millions of people suffering chronic kidney disease.
Kidney Research UK volunteer, Elaine Sherlock, began volunteering for the charity seven years ago. She underwent a kidney transplant almost three years ago for a hereditary kidney disease known as nephritis that claimed the lives of her father, brother and two of her uncles.
She said: “I’d always enjoyed good health up until the point my kidneys failed and my blood became toxic. I began to feel ill and lose all energy. At that point, my kidneys were functioning at just five per cent. I held on for as long as I could before admitting defeat and going on dialysis while waiting for a suitable donor.
“Donations like this are hugely important to people like me who live with kidney disease. A lot of people don’t really understand how important your kidneys are until they stop working. Donations like this will fund research that could help early diagnosis and prolong lives.
“The advances that have been made in research since my dad passed away in 1977 are immense. To think where we could be in 10 or 20 years from now with more funding and advanced research is just amazing.”
Before beginning kidney dialysis, Elaine climbed Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the UK €“ raising more than £5,000 for the charity. Then the year following her transplant Elaine took part in walking the full 97 miles of the West Highland Way. “It was a great way to test drive my new kidney,” she said.
Graham Paterson, Executive Director of City Building said: “We are pleased and proud alongside the Lord Provost to present these £10,000 donations to Beatson Cancer Charity and Kidney Research UK.
“We chose Beatson Cancer Charity and Kidney Research UK as our corporate charities because many of our staff have been affected or know someone who has been affected by cancer or kidney disease. We recognise how important donations like this are for helping fund vital research.
“I’d like to thank all our team and supply chain as well as the Lord Provost’s Office for their generosity which has enabled us to hand over such an impressive donation today.”
Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “I’m extremely proud of my staff and those from City Building for helping raise such significant sums of money for two very deserving charities. I’m sure they had some fun along the way.
“I know that people experiencing ill health rely heavily on the care and support of organisations like the Beatson Cancer Charity and Kidney Research UK and that all funds raised help them provide that vital support with compassion.”
Liz McGuiness, Kidney Research UK Community Fundraiser for Scotland “We’re really grateful for this extremely generous donation from City Building, and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the Golf Day.”
