ASCO, the global integrated materials and logistics management company, has confirmed that it's charitable arm, ASCO Lifestyle has made charitable donations ahead of schedule. The team have done so with the hope that other companies, with similar charitable arms, will consider early donations to their chosen charities to help support and make a difference during this time.
Aware that charities are currently being called upon more than ever as they adapt to restrictions whilst providing effective service, the Giving branch of ASCO Lifestyle - which was established to support charitable organisations close to the hearts of ASCO employees – made the decision to bring forward two major donations to the organisations it supports in Peterhead and Aberdeen.
Peterhead-based mental health charity, Shirley’s Space, was chosen by local employees as their charity of choice during 2019/2020. In late February, and in anticipation of the difficulties the pandemic would create, ASCO Lifestyle donated £4,500 to help support changes to the charity’s operation, including increased communication as online messaging and phone calls replaced visits to the charity base at Crimond Medical and Community Hub.
With the same objective in mind, ASCO Lifestyle donated £6,000 to its chosen Aberdeen charity, Mental Health Aberdeen, in April helping the organisation to continue delivery of its counselling and information services and helpline, despite having to cancel a number of fundraising activities.
The monies donated were raised by ASCO employee activities including a golf day, quiz nights, various raffles and the annual ASCO ball. The company will continue to fundraise for its chosen charities throughout 2020 and will make their end-of-cycle donations in December, as originally planned.
Janice Murray, member of ASCO Lifestyle Aberdeen commented: “Managed by ASCO employees, ASCO Lifestyle was created to give assistance and support to local charities, employees and the wider community. It is hard to imagine circumstances when that support might be needed more than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Donations are traditionally made on an annual basis, but the ASCO Lifestyle committee has made the decision to donate all available funds to our chosen charities, in order to help continuity of their vital services. Of course, we appreciate that ASCO is not alone in its on-going charitable activity, but we are urging companies who read this to consider early donations to their chosen charities, should they not have already done so. It’s going to make a big difference to those you support.”