North-east Scotland charity launches fundraising calendar
A north-east Scotland charity has launched its second fundraising calendar featuring stunning local landscapes and wildlife.
Caroline Rutherford, who works for North East Sensory Services (NESS), provided all the images for the charity’s 2023 calendar. NESS supports thousands of people with visual and hearing impairments across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Moray and Angus.
Endangered red squirrel
Caroline, a keen amateur photographer, captured the images while walking throughout the north-east of Scotland. Among the photographs are a greylag gosling at Haddo House near Methlick, a robin, and an endangered native red squirrel. Caroline has also snapped Pennan harbour, and its red telephone box made famous by the film Local Hero. Other beauty spots featured in the calendar include Bow Fiddle Rock, Portknockie, Tom’s Cairn, Finzean, and Glen Esk, Angus.
Bow Fiddle Rock, Portknockie
All funds raised will go directly to supporting the essential work provided by NESS, including social work, employment support, rehabilitation for visual impairment, support for young people, equipment to support daily living, British Sign Language services and lipreading classes.
Caroline, NESS’s fundraising manager, has enjoyed photography since childhood with the hobby providing a lifeline during Covid restrictions. After sharing some of her pictures on social media, colleagues came up with the idea of putting together a calendar. The calendar is sponsored by Aberdeen Business Network (ABN), Forrest Training, The Garlogie Inn, and Stats Group. It includes touching comments from service users and their families. One wrote:
“We feel less alone, now we have found a place to which we can turn for advice and support as we cope with this life-changing event.”
Another said:
“I was quite nervous and emotional when I visited but I was very quickly put at ease, and I felt safe and comfortable. I had so, so many questions and I truly appreciate the time and advice given to me. Your organisation is amazing.”
Calendars, priced at £7.50 each or £12 for two, are available from NESS’s resource centres in Aberdeen, Dundee and Elgin or by phoning 0345 271 2345 or email susan.mckay@nesensoryservices.org
Caroline Rutherford, fundraising manager with NESS“I'm delighted to see my photographs in print and to know that all the proceeds go directly to supporting our service users. The animal photographs are definitely my favourites. They need a lot of patience, and a lot of luck. I particularly like the red squirrel - we're so fortunate to have them in Aberdeenshire, and every time I spot one it's a real joy.”
Graham Findlay, chief executive of NESS“We are immensely grateful to Caroline for giving up her time to take these amazing photographs of the wildlife and scenery in the areas where we support service users. We know there will be a big demand for the calendar from our supporters as they will make a great gift for family and friends this Christmas.
We want to make sure everyone in the north-east with a sensory impairment is given all the support they need to live as independently as possible and participate normally in society. Thanks to Caroline, all our generous sponsors, and everyone who buys a calendar, we can make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of blind and deaf people across the region.”
Ends
Join our mailing list
If you would like to receive regular news and updates about our work, then you can sign up to our mailing list.