February 8 - ASCO's Northern North Sea (NNS) business, which includes bases across a number of Aberdeen and Peterhead locations, has donated over GBP22,000 (USD35,019) to its chosen charity for 2011, CHILDREN 1ST.

The figure includes company donations as well as monies raised by staff via a variety of fundraising initiatives throughout the year.

Fundraising initiatives have included a team of staff abseiling from Glasgow's huge Titan crane, which raised over GBP5,000 (USD7,959) alone, a 'Wear Something Tartan' day, home bake sales, sponsored runs and much more.

ASCO says the sum will be spent in the Aberdeenshire area by CHILDREN 1ST. Money will be split between the Corrieneuchin services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which help children to recover from abuse and trauma, and the Fraserburgh Families service which protects children affected by parental drug or alcohol abuse.

ASCO staff member, Morag Macdonald, who sits on an ASCO staff committee called Lifestyle which manages the company's involvement with a range of local community and charitable organisations, commented: "We are delighted we've raised so much money for CHILDREN 1ST in 2011. Our staff have been particularly generous in their fundraising efforts this year and we're confident the money we have raised will make a real difference to local children."

Kate Smith, director of Fundraising & Communications for CHILDREN 1ST, said: "We are so grateful to ASCO for their support and GBP22,000 is a fantastic donation." ASCO staff choose a charity each year to benefit from charity fundraising and company donations. Other recent 'charities of the year' for the company's Northern North Sea business have included The Archie Foundation and CLAN.

Marie Williamson (Left) and Morag Macdonald (right)- co-chairs of ASCO's Lifestyle committee which manages the company's involvement with a range of local community and charitable organisations - pictured with Lorraine Cameron - CHILDREN 1st corporate fundraising consultant (centre).

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