activpayroll, the global payroll and tax compliance specialist headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland has announced it has donated a five-figure sum to four Scottish charities during the coronavirus pandemic.

activpayroll has donated a combined total of £16,000 to Maggie’s, Friends of Anchor, Charlie House and Support in Mind Scotland, with each receiving £4,000. It is hoped that the funds will help the charities continue to support those that really need it during these unprecedented and challenging times.

activpayroll’s social committee, activ-in-action, is granted an annual budget for company events such as Summer BBQ’s, quiz nights, Christmas parties and also organise smaller gestures such as breakfast for the team on a Friday and free fruit. With all social events cancelled for 2020, activ-in-action was tasked with coming up with an alternative to give team members. Various ideas were considered, including takeaway food vouchers, supermarket vouchers and virtual group events with prizes, however, the ultimate decision was unanimous, the money that would normally be spent on events would go to activpayroll’s chosen charities for 2020.

Charity has always been high on activpayroll’s agenda, since 2016, the team has raised in excess of £100,000 by taking part in a range of challenges and events. At the beginning of 2020, activpayroll was set for another year of fundraising and challenges, however when the coronavirus pandemic hit, these had to be put on hold, ultimately affecting the charities that so heavily rely on donations to survive.

Alison Sellar, CEO of activpayroll, commented: “With charities across the country working hard to ensure they stay afloat during these turbulent times, it is more important than ever that as a company, we support them in any way we can. I am always immensely proud of all the charitable work that goes on across the business, especially the team’s decision to donate the annual social budget to charity. I would urge other businesses who are in a fortunate position like us to do the same this year.”

Graham McKechnie, Global Tax Director at activpayroll

Richard Stewart, Centre Fundraising Manager of Maggie’s Aberdeen, said: “This is a wonderful gift from the team at activpayroll and a truly selfless act which we are thrilled to benefit from. With many of our fundraising activities cancelled and postponed this year, this gift will make a big difference. With it being a tough year for everyone, it says a lot about the activpayroll team that they have chosen to think of others in this way; it’s a great example of the strong community spirit we have in the North East. When we are finally able, activpayroll will be among the first to be invited into Maggie’s Aberdeen for a long overdue catch-up and celebration.”

Susan Crighton, Director of Fundraising at Charlie House, said: “We are very grateful to the staff at activpayroll for choosing to donate a portion of their social budget to Charlie House. Sadly, the majority of our annual fundraising events this year have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic and the resulting Government restrictions. This has meant our income is down by 70% against last year, while at the same time requests for our support are up a staggering 84%. The funds kindly donated by the activpayroll team will play a vital role in enabling Charlie House to continue its work and to support local babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families, during these challenging times.”

Carly Munro, Finance & Fundraising Coordinator at Friends of ANCHOR, said: “activpayroll has been on board with us since 2016 and to have their continued backing during such a challenging year has given us a real boost. Whether it’s organising their own fitness trials, shaking buckets at office events or getting stuck in to our charity challenges, the staff at activ always bring so much passion, energy and creativity to the cause. They can often be found in fancy dress at ANCHOR Wipeout, or trawling through gallons of mud at Glack Attack. This year alone, staff signed up to our Going the Distance event, and most recently Debbie and Brogan from the team tackled their fears and took on a skydive to raise funds. To date, activ’s efforts have raised £11,205, and this latest donation tips the scale over £15,000.  We’re extremely grateful to everyone at activpayroll for their unwavering support, not least for such a generous gesture in donating their own social budget to the cause. As always, every penny will go to the cause and this donation will play a hugely valued part in keeping our services and support going this year.”

Iain Mitchell, Senior Community Partnership Fundraising Officer at Support in Mind Scotland, said: “Support in Mind Scotland cannot thank the employees of activpayroll enough for deciding to donate their social budget to the nominated causes they are supporting this year. This money will help us continue to provide vital support to people living with mental illness across the country, and is hugely appreciated in what has been a very uncertain year for most.  It is a wonderful gesture from a workforce who have a tremendous history of imaginative and daring fundraising efforts, and we’re very proud to be associated with these terrific people.”