ABP Plymouth’s Charity of the Year!

Age UK Plymouth is delighted to announce that ABP Plymouth has selected them as their charity of the year for 2024.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK’s leading and best-connected ports group, with  a network of 21 ports including Millbay Docks in the Port of Plymouth, and has a long history of corporate social responsibility. Best known locally as home to Brittany Ferries’ services to France and Spain, Millbay Docks contributes over £95 million to the UK economy and champions reinvesting back into the communities in which they operate.

Citing collaboration with local communities as being key to creating sustainable practices, ABP operates under the ethos that each community is unique and by working collaboratively they can commit to making sure that they can have the best possible impact on local lives.

In December 2023, Adrian Buss, Operations Manager at ABP Plymouth presented the charity with a cheque for £800 towards their Christmas Campaign. The donation helped fund projects to reduce loneliness at Christmas and deliver vital food and supply packages to isolated older people over the winter months.

“It’s great to be able to support such a worthwhile charity as Age UK Plymouth,” said Adrian. “ABP looks to support the communities it is based in and ensure we are socially responsible in the work that we do. The team is really looking forward to organising a number of events during 2024 to raise vital funds for Age UK Plymouth.”

 “We’re so pleased to be working with ABP in 2024,” said David Wood, Age UK Plymouth CEO. “The team has already shown so much enthusiasm for what we do, whether it’s taking part in volunteering or putting together teams for fundraising events, this kind of corporate support will have a hugely beneficial impact on our work this year. With energy bills topping £10,000 a month, the unrestricted funds generously given by groups like ABP are what keeps our lights on, allows us to host warm spaces and day centres for vulnerable people and continue to be there for the people of Plymouth.”

Employees from ABP have already entered a team in the Plymouth’s Running Festival and with the charity rolling out a wider range of accessible fundraising challenges including the charity’s flagship Step Out for Age UK Walking Half Marathon, many more colleagues are looking forward to being able to get involved.

“The engagement from ABP colleagues has been incredible,” said Tara Dale, Head of Fundraising. “It’s really important to us that we’re enabling participation across a variety of fundraising activities. Not everyone can or wants to climb a mountain or swim the channel! When people see and experience the work we do here first hand, they often want to know what they can do to support us. Whether it’s donating your time, getting your trainers on and going for a run, or finding out if your employer can contribute in some way, there are so many opportunities to be a part of the work we do here at Age UK Plymouth.”