Staff at an Tayside firm hope to smash records when the Journeycall base in Arbroath transforms into an official donation call centre for BBC’s Children in Need appeal on Friday.
It is not the first time the award-winning multi-contact centre at Arbroath Enterprise Park has taken part in the event.
Last year the firm took around £80,000 through the centre, as well as raising £1,000 for the charity among themselves – figures the call handling team want to beat this year.
Laura Rhoney from Journeycall said: “We will have around 100 people working between 6pm and 11pm, with a minimum of 50 people taking calls at any one time.
“It will be a fun evening with lots going on, including darts and a games console competition which will help keep people engaged.
“There will also be a taco stand, a bottle stall and a raffle, with local businesses being really supportive and they have donated some great prizes.
“Members of staff are bringing partners and family members along, and we will also be joined by police cadets and other organisations, so it will be a great atmosphere on the night.
“If anyone would like to make a donation of a raffle prize, then there is still time to do so, and it’s all for a great cause.”
Call-centre staff will be joined by Angus MP Kirstene Hair, Angus Council supremo Margot Williamson and Alison Smith, also from the local authority, and Councillor Lynne Short from Dundee, who will all be fielding calls.
The first major appeal by BBC Children in need took place in 1980 and since then, has raised more than £972 million which is used to support projects working with disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
The charity is currently supporting more than 2,700 projects in the UK, and in the last year alone, donations have helped change the lives of more than 582,000 disadvantaged children.
Conservative MP Kirstene Hair said: “When I heard Journeycall staff and their families are donating their own time to take calls for Children in Need, I knew it was the least I could do to join them.
“I’m honoured to be invited along to help.
“I know my constituents in Angus have big hearts and I look forward to helping get some of those donations over the phones.”
Angus Council’s Chief Executive Margo Williamson said: “We’re delighted to support Children in Need.
The charity is a key funder in the UK and fund a number of organisations across Angus who work with young carers and young people with special needs.
“Every penny raised makes a real difference to children’s lives.
“When the public donates a pound, this is a pound that goes to help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.
“All other costs not attributable to grant making are covered by investment income and gift aid so the public can be assured their money is all going to help young people.
Angus Council’s Strategic Policy and Economy Service Leader Alison Smith said: “Children in Need is a fantastic charity and I’m looking forward to speaking to as many people as possible who phone in with their donation.
“Taking part on Friday night is also our way of supporting Journeycall, a key employer in Angus.
“Angus Council is in regular contact with the company, and our skills team have provided ongoing training, selection and recruitment support since the company moved to Arbroath from Brechin and Laurencekirk three years ago.
“Journeycall support a number of school activities in Arbroath such as sponsoring Arbroath Academy in the recent George Donald Fund challenge for business studies pupils as well as supporting other community activities.”
