Lothian has presented its charity of choice, Voice of Carers across Lothian (VOCAL), with a cheque for £1,500. The funds were raised at the Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM) conference held in April.
Lothian hosted the ALBUM conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa, bringing together small and medium-sized enterprises, operations, and suppliers from across the country to address issues facing the bus industry. As part of its philanthropic efforts, Lothian selected VOCAL as its charity partner due to the charity’s work in supporting unpaid carers and raising awareness of their contributions to families and communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
During the Gala Dinner, members of ALBUM generously donated to VOCAL, culminating in the presentation of the £1,500 cheque. The handover took place in the presence of Carla Bennett, VOCAL’s Operations Manager for Midlothian, and Jeanne-Marie Lee, the charity’s Carer Training Officer. The donated funds will be used to benefit unpaid carers throughout Lothian’s operational area, enhancing support services in local communities.
Gaynor Marshall, Lothian’s Communications Director, comments: “Charity partnerships are deeply ingrained in Lothian’s fabric. We recognise that a significant number of our colleagues are unpaid carers, and the challenges of recent years have undoubtedly exacerbated the already demanding nature of their responsibilities. It was truly fantastic to showcase the numerous benefits that such partnerships bring, from raising awareness and funds to engaging our dedicated workforce of over 2,500 employees, who serve as ambassadors in their own right.”
Adds Carla Bennett, VOCAL Midlothian Operations Manager: “We would like to thank all those who donated to VOCAL at the recent ALBUM conference. Our services provide a lifeline for many unpaid carers and their generous contribution will make a difference. We hugely appreciate their support!”
