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5D writer, Maria Robertson talks about a local venture close to her heart.
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My “day job” employer offers us volunteering time and so last year I got in touch with the wonderful Archie Foundation and asked if they would like help with anything. They know I am quite keen on my music so asked if I would like to help organise a Christmas concert – wow yes please, I replied! Unfortunately that annoying covid thing got in the way and we had to postpone it but luckily both groups of performers who I had approached were able to change date, and so now we are happy to announce that we are having a Spring Concert!
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The first half will be the Aberdeen Gaelic Choir and then after a wee break we will have the Bon Accord Silver Band. The concert is taking place in the rather stunning Midstocket Parish Church on Thursday 31st March from 7pm. Tickets are only £10 per person, or £5 for children – and it will be finished by 9.30 so its not too late a night for anyone!
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So why these performers? Well, my son went through Gaelic Medium Education and I got sucked into its wonderful welcoming community and now try and spread the joy of Gaelic whenever possible. Its not necessary to understand it to enjoy listening to it, especially some of the lovely songs. Our local Gaelic Choir is award winning and does so well at the Mod, but I’m not sure they are fully appreciated in their own city so it seemed a good opportunity to share them with a different audience. I’m similarly selfish with the Bon Accord Silver Band, I keep hearing how good they are, and just want to experience them for myself so why not invite them to play for us?!
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The Archie Foundation do amazing work in our city’s children hospital, which we are very lucky to not have needed as our son is as healthy as you’d hope. We do know people who have needed their support though and we know how much that is valued by those who need it. My family and I got involved with Archie a few years ago when they had Oor Wullie statues all over town in a fundraising project. Since then my son has been a mascot for their Battle of the Badges football match – Team Fire v Team Police! He had his head shaved to raise sponsorship for this just at the start of lockdown, live on Facebook. Then one of our family friends offered to increase his donation if my son shaved his Dad’s head – so this also happened on Facebook Live. There were sideways looks at my hair but luckily I maintained the role of social media marketing and managed to keep a warm head! We made a good team though – within 8 days we raised over £1000!
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It’s fitting that this event has been launched today, 2nd March, as this was my Grandad Archie’s birthday – another reason this charity resonates with me. I loved my Grandad so very much but its only since having a child though that I realised just how important the relationship is between grandparents and grandchildren. Archie Foundation ensures that more people get to enjoy that special time together, and so its work really is invaluable.
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Basically you should consider buying tickets – it will be a fabulous night out you can enjoy, whilst feeling that warm glow of helping a very worthy cause. I hope to see you there, although we may need some of you to review it as I may be seen as biased!
Tickets are available from: https://archie.org/events/archie-spring-concert/
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