Games Organisers Share Success

THIS week the organisers of the Aberdeen Highland Games have been busy delivering cheques to local charities.

Since the Games began they have contributed $91,456 to local community groups and this year they are sharing $11,726.

Charles Cook president of the Aberdeen Highland Games, Paul Hobbs secretary of the Aberdeen Men’s Shed, Phil Russell president of the Shed, Elizabeth Birch secretary of the Games and Hock Low member of the Shed.

Charles Cooke, president of the Games said, “many of the groups have helped us with the Games, the Aberdeen Men’s Shed have been a great help on the gates and we like to give back to the groups who help make the Games a success for the whole community.”

“We also provide local groups with a platform to fundraise for themselves on the day and that just adds to the benefits they can share in with the Games,” he said.

“It costs between $80,000 and $90,000 to run the Aberdeen Highland Games so we need to keep funds in reserve for the next Games, but helping groups which help our local community is important too,” he said.

“Since the Games started we have given more than $90,000 and we’ll continue to do so,” said Charles Cooke.

Elizabeth Birch from the Aberdeen Highland Games handing over a donaation to the Aberdeen SES unit. L- R Mick Batten, Ray Butchard, Tim McElroy,Elizabeth Birch Aberdeen Highland Games Inc. Monique Mohr, Bob Kegan and Andrew Clarke in the boat.

Paul Hobbs, secretary of the Aberdeen Men’s Shed said their cheque for $1,000 would help them with their next two goals of a bathroom in their new shed and the car park they are required to build.

Aberdeen SES received a a donation of $1,100 and will put their donation towards bollards and an iPad.

The list of this year’s groups which have received donations include: Aberdeen SES, Aberdeen Little Athletics, APEX of Muswellbrook, Men’s Shed of Muswellbrook, Men’s Shed Aberdeen, Relay for Life, Royal Flying Doctors, Scone Scouts, St John’s Ambulance, St Joseph’s Aberdeen, St Matthew’s Gundy Women’s Guild and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.