Students and staff from the Law School have raised a combined total of £720 in under two weeks to help three local charities in support communities adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moved by the exceptional financial and emotional challenges suffered by so many, staff and students at the Law School were motivated to do what they could to help out at the end of this exceptionally challenging year. The initiative, led by some of the school’s Class Reps, sought to raise funds for three very different and very deserving charities, all chosen by the students.
First Year Class Rep, Mia Ibrahim, was inspired to support North East Sensory Service, a cause she feels is particularly admirable. The charity’s aim is to help people of all ages with sight and hearing loss to achieve a sense of independence, and it is one of the few charities in the Aberdeen area providing this type of assistance. Many of the people they support have been forced to shield in 2020 and so the charity has experienced increased demand for its services. This includes offering moral and emotional support, and practical assistance such as delivering hearing aids and other essential NHS medical assistive equipment to people who are unable to leave the house.
The second chosen charity,AberNecessities, is a local charity which aims to support underprivileged families in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Money raised goes towards essential supplies such as nappies, cots, food, clothing and so on. In addition, AberNecessities is also organising delivery of Christmas gifts to children who may not otherwise receive a present this year. AberNecessities is one of Aberdeen City Council’s emergency support groups responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Third Year Class Rep Group, Katy Evans, Mhairi Swanson, Jocelyn Junaid, Jule Schnakenberg and Christie O’Reilly wanted to do what they could to help families in need this Christmas.
Lastly, Fourth Year Class Rep, Molly O'Donoghue, proposed helping Willows Animal Sanctuary and Animal Assisted Therapy Unit. Willows is the largest ethically managed equine, farm and domestic animal sanctuary in Scotland, looking after over 500 rescued animals. Willows tries to help any animal in distress and operates a strict no kill policy.
Molly is passionate about animals and is one of three students who met with the Scottish Parliament last year to discuss a bill to increase the maximum penalty for animal and wildlife crime, increase the protection for service animals, and extend the powers of enforcement authorities.
Willows has a Service Level Agreement with Aberdeenshire Council to provide Animal-Assisted Therapy to those with learning and physical difficulties, people experiencing issues with substance misuse and homelessness, and is the only organisation in the area offering this therapy. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, they have been forced to close the sanctuary and café, resulting in a loss of over 50% of their income.
The Law School would like to thank all those who donated for their generous contributions. The School is delighted to raise funds for these three worthy local causes.
