Peterhead dealership shifts into top gear for charity support
Peterhead vehicle dealership Gillanders Motors has revved up a new initiative to drive forward support for Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). In partnership with MG Motors UK, Gillanders has provided a support vehicle for the charity's recently-launched Helimed 79 operations based at Aberdeen.
A new MG HS automatic now sports the life-saving charity's branding and is in use at SCAA's new Dyce base. Mark Stevenson, Sales Manager at Gillanders, explained that the air ambulance is the latest in a long line of charities supported by the dealership.
"Gillanders Motors has a long history of local community support but four years ago we opted to focus our charitable efforts on a smaller number of projects, allowing a greater impact to be made with our contribution.
"The addition of a locally-based Helimed will save lives - particularly given the rural geography of Aberdeenshire," added Mark. "SCAA exists to help those in the worst of times. The crews, medics, volunteers and support staff at SCAA do an incredible job and we are proud to support such a fantastic cause. The costs of operating the charity are significant and removing the need to purchase even one vehicle will release more funding to the front line operation."
Gillanders Motors' vehicle support to SCAA will be used to assist the charity in a wide variety of tasks both locally and across the country. Mark explained that while the initial support was for one vehicle for one year, discussions are being held which could see that term extended and the possibility of providing additional vehicles where required.
"We are a local, family owned company and Aberdeenshire is our home," said Mark. "As a business we rely upon local custom to succeed and we try to support that community in return. Supporting SCAA's lifesaving work is a great way to do just that.
"During talks with SCAA, it was genuinely astonishing to hear accounts of the lives saved by the air ambulance, the dedication of their crews and the huge efforts made by the fund raising teams. Their need for support is now greater than ever and Gillanders Motors and MG Motors UK are delighted to be able to play a part in keeping the charity moving."
Nick Harvey, SCAA's Director of Fundraising and Communications, said the "generous support" would prove invaluable to the life-saving charity.
"This type of support from businesses is vital to our charity and we're hugely grateful to Gillanders and MG Motors for stepping up during what is an extremely trying time for all companies.
"Having a vehicle based at our Aberdeen base will enable us to fulfil a wide variety of charity and fundraising demands. It's a fantastic gesture and we can't thank them enough for their support and friendship to SCAA and our frontline emergency role."