BEAR charity donations exceed previous total

In a year that has seen cost of living challenges impact communities and as well as the third sector, the leading road maintenance company has supported 18 charities ranging from established players like Scottish SPCA and SAMH to Sporting Memories, which runs volunteer-led groups throughout the country to tackle dementia, depression and loneliness.

Additionally, around 17 community groups and initiatives have also benefited from BEAR’s support.

Joanna Buggy, BEAR Scotland engagement manager, leads the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility team.

She said: “As a company we’ve always been committed to playing a positive role in the communities in which we operate.

"As well as increasing the financial donations by over 25% this year, the number of employees engaged in either raising funds or giving their time in volunteering has grown.

"Overall, it’s a true team effort that has delivered this for so many worthy causes throughout the country.”

In 2022 BEAR donated over £26,000 to its long-standing charity partners, Cash for Kids, SAMH, My Name’5 Doddie and RBLI, as a result of various initiatives from a corporate charity golf tournament to sponsoring fundraising challenges as well as corporate donations.

Scottish SPCA, which won the 2022 employee poll to be BEAR Charity of the Year, benefitted from a £5404 boost thanks to various fundraising efforts including the KiltWalk, a dedicated Doors Open Day at the Forth Road Bridge event and Christmas Jumper Day.

BEAR staff also donated a host of pet products including food, toys and beds in addition to the core donations.

Three employees ziplined off the Kessock Bridge for Highland Hospice raising £1,400 by abseiling off the Kessock Bridge. Sixteen team members also got into the Movember spirit – raising a total of £1,450 for the men’s health and suicide prevention causes supported by the charity. BEAR supported employees’ fundraising challenges for Cancer Research and Mental Health Foundation with corporate donations.