Diageo's Kilmarnock workers raise £100,000

Nov 14 2008 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

WORKERS at Kilmarnock’s Diageo bottling plant have shown their charitable spirit by raising £100,000 for good causes in the past year.

Big-hearted workers at the Hill Street plant have raised £52,384 – and the sum was doubled by the drinks company under its scheme to match charity fund-raising done by employees.

Some 30 local and national charities have benefited from the cash during the past 12 months.

Many workers showed a lot of bottle by pushing their bodies to the limit to rake in the charity cash.

A trek on the Great Wall of China by workers Danny Chilton and Gail Anderson raised £6000 for CHAS.

And Liz McIlvaney raised almost £3000 for Ayrshire Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Care by completing a 10km run and a midnight marathon.

Most of the 700-strong workforce did their bit by donating their “accident free month” bonuses to help Nathan Lewis, a four-year-old Kilmarnock boy who has autism and needs to go to America for revolutionary treatment.

Three of the biggest charitable events raised £9000.

These events were a golf tournament organised by team leader Kevin Knox in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support; a fishing competition held by training co-ordinator Janice Withers for the Ayrshire Hospice, and a barbecue set up by operator Charles McGill in aid of ABBA Rest orphans.

Pauline Rooney, the site director, said: “The spirit and willingness to help local and national charities runs throughout the whole team and Diageo is honoured to be able to match-fund each contribution.

“Reaching the £100,000 mark has particular resonance as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Johnnie Walker ‘striding man’ logo – a fitting tribute to the brand’s Kilmarnock heritage.”