2015 has been another busy year for the Foundation with supporting a range of diverse projects and awarding over £200,000 to over 40 worthy community-led initiatives across the north of Scotland.
As Foundation Manager I’ve met some truly passionate and inspirational groups throughout the year who work hard to deliver projects that make a positive difference to those in their communities.
Here are some of the worthy groups and exciting projects the Foundation has supported this year:
Leonard Cheshire Disability – art exhibition
The art therapy programme which has been running for the last 18 months at Cheshire House in Inverness. Visitors to Eden Court Theatre during November witnessed an exciting collection of artwork by a talented group of young people with autistic spectrum disorders. There is no doubt that Gordon and Ena would have thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition.
KeRBS (Keith Rollerblade, BMX and Skateboarders) – skate park upgrade
This dedicated group of parents and youngsters took up the challenge to match fund the initial phase of their project to install four new skate ramps in Cuthill Park in Keith. Through the group’s tremendous fundraising efforts, along with support from the Foundation, local youngsters are now benefiting from the new skate ramps.
Highland Wildlife Park – new materials
The RZSS Educational Programme at Kincraig welcomes more than 2,000 children each year who benefit from structured, comprehensive workshops where they can get close with vulnerable Scottish wildlife in conditions developed to replicate habitats in the wild. The Foundation’s funding has assisted RZSS to acquire new educational materials to enhance the current programme.
True to Gordon Baxter’s vision, all the Foundation’s Trustees will continue to follow closely the progress of every project it is helping.
Along with the funding awards, the Foundation has created and honoured its first Ena Baxter scholarship to one of Gray’s School of Art’s undergraduate students. The £10,000 scholarship package is designed to support an undergraduate student studying at RGU’s
art school. Ena often spoke of her happy student days in Aberdeen and this is a fitting tribute to her memory. We’re looking forward to following the progress of the first successful candidate to benefit from this special award.
As we move into 2016, we look forward to finding more innovative and creative projects for funding opportunities. To keep up with the latest news from the Foundation, remember to Like us on Facebook and Follows us on Twitter.
Read our full 2015 review here – Newsletter 2015
With good wishes and all the best for 2016
Kay Jackson
Foundation Manager at The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation
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