Sport Aberdeen has announced today that it is entering into a strategic partnership with the ARCHIE Foundation.

The ARCHIE Foundation, is a children’s charity which aims to make the difference for more than 200,000 local sick children every year, providing much-needed extras not already catered for by the NHS.

Following several months of discussions, the two organisations have identified a number of areas, where they feel working collaboratively will help them achieve shared goals.

With the ARCHIE Foundation’s fundraising campaign, the Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail, adopting a Charities theme this week (15-21 July), Sport Aberdeen Chairman, Colin Taylor and ARCHIE Foundation Chairman, Joe Mackie met to launch the partnership at the vintage clown sculpture, close to the Beach Leisure Centre, which is operated by Sport Aberdeen.

 The two organisations are exploring a range of projects to benefit both parties, including developing programmes and access to Sport Aberdeen facilities for ARCHIE’s patients and their families, both during and after treatment to support and improve the health and wellbeing of not only the child receiving treatment, but wider family members.

Sport Aberdeen will also support staff volunteering opportunities at the ARCHIE Foundation merchandise store for the Oor Wullie BIG Bucket Trail and events, as well as the loan of equipment to support fund raising activities – including the Big Bounce Weekend.

Announcing the partnership, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, Colin Taylor said: “The ARCHIE Foundation is an important local charity, working tirelessly to enhance the lives of children and their families during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“With Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity, we believe there is a great opportunity to work together for the benefit of those children and their families in the local community dealing with significant health and wellbeing challenges.

“We are extremely excited to form this new strategic partnership with the ARCHIE Foundation and look forward to working closely together on a number of initiatives over the coming months.”

Joe Mackie OBE, Chairman of The ARCHIE Foundation, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sport Aberdeen. They, like us, are committed to making a difference to the lives of local families and everyone at ARCHIE is looking forward to working together.”