Ormlie charity wins £5000 first prize thanks to Old Pulteney owners
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An organisation providing care and social services to Thurso's Ormlie residents is £5000 better off after winning an award from International Beverage – the company that owns Old Pulteney whisky.
The announcement came on Tuesday (March 12) after the winning recipient of this year’s International Beverage’s Spirit of Our Community Awards (northern region) was unveiled as Ormlie Community Association (OCA).
The top prize of £5000 has been donated by the premium spirits producer International Beverage to the charity, which addresses community needs, promotes health and behaviour change and improves and reduces social isolation and loneliness.
Set up in 1997, the majority of families that the charity works closely with are living in poverty and urgently rely on the groups. It provides an essential service by supporting those in need with hot meals, refreshments, educational and physical stimulation. The charity’s popular Social Hubs, which run four times a week all year round, provide a warm, safe space for people to meet, play, receive guidance and create friendships.
Grace Souter, OCA project development manager, said: "Many of our regular attendees are living in extreme poverty and attend our hubs for their wellbeing.
"We plan to use the donation to continue improving our Social Hubs and the services we offer. For example, we would like to organise an activity for each day rather than just a hot meal. This would increase people’s social skills and interaction, whether it’s board games, movies or outdoor activities. We don't have many resources for adult activities, so purchasing these would be a massive benefit to our community."
The awards were launched in 2022 to celebrate and reward the people and organisations working hard to make a difference to others in the community surrounding the company’s head office in Airdrie.
In 2023 the initiative was extended to communities close to the company’s five Scottish distilleries, where separate prize funds were allocated.
Judged by a mix of International Beverage employees and external associates, the Zone 3 competition was open to any charity or not for profit organisation based within a 25-mile radius of the business’s Pulteney and Balblair distilleries.
Awards organiser, International Beverage business support manager Eileen Rae, commented: "The Ormlie Community Association is one of those small organisations that can make a huge difference to people's day-to-day lives, so we are delighted to name them our winner.
"A strong sense of community in more remote areas, such as the Highlands, is vital for many people and even more so for those living in poverty. The organisation’s regular Social Hubs no doubt play a positive role in many people’s lives and we look forward to working with them over the coming months."
www.interbevgroup.com/charitable-giving/spirit-of-our-community-awards
The scheme is International Beverage’s biggest charity commitment to date. Members of the team plan to take up volunteering opportunities with selected charities where possible.
