A Scottish Gas boss from Fife is taking to the skies to launch a new £50,000 charity partnership with Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
David Robertson, head of customer delivery at the energy provider, is not letting his fear of heights stop him taking part in a sponsored skydive at Fife Airport in Glenrothes on June 20.
Many of his colleagues have also signed up for fundraising initiatives to help the charity, which operates Rachel House in Kinross, continue its work for children with life-shortening conditions and their families.
The Scottish Gas 1,000-strong workforce has pledged to raise £50,000 for CHAS over the course of the year.
David, from East Wemyss, said: “I’m not scared of many things but I do have a fear of heights so this is definitely out of my comfort zone.
“I’ve been getting a lot of laughs from colleagues and family and friends who can’t believe I’ve actually signed up to throw myself out of a plane.”
David’s workmates have already raised £2,000 with a race night at Hamilton Park Racecourse and the company plans to help further through staff volunteering days.
David added: “Our team at Scottish Gas have been inspired by the work of CHAS and we want to support the charity through this truly transformational partnership which opens up skills-based volunteering opportunities for staff while also enabling them to become personally involved in fundraising.
“Our teams have an array of technical skills that can be put to great use supporting CHAS and their families.
“By working together we know we can make a real difference to the lives of children and families across Scotland and as a team we are fully committed to achieving that by hitting our £50,000 target.”
As well as the skydive, David has signed up to run the Edinburgh Marathon in May.
Other events involving colleagues include the Great North Run, the Forth Bridge abseil and Kiltwalks across Scotland.
Megan Stobo, senior corporate partnerships executive at CHAS said the charity was delighted to be working with Scottish Gas.
“We rely on partnerships like this to support our mission of reaching every single baby, child and young person in Scotland with a life-shortening condition and we are so grateful to every single member of the Scottish Gas team for getting behind CHAS.”
