The airport's current partnership with Guide Dogs Scotland has been a huge success and it hopes that 2017 will be just as beneficial for the winning charity
Edinburgh Airport is seeking a new charity to be its Charity of the Year for 2017.
The airport released pictures of a visit from its current charity partner, Guide Dogs Scotland, to encourage charities to consider applying before the 31 Ocotober deadline.
In the last five years, Edinburgh Airport has supported a number of charities through the Corporate Charity of the Year Programme raising over £80,000 for worthy causes.
The current partnership with Guide Dogs Scotland ends on 31 December, so the spot is vacant.
Any charity can apply to be Edinburgh Airport’s 2017 Charity of the Year, however it must be able to demonstrate a connection to and activities that benefit Scotland and not have previously been Edinburgh Airport’s Charity of the Year within the last five years.
This year Guide Dogs Scotland has been Edinburgh Airport’s charity and the partnership has helped to raise thousands of pounds, improve public awareness, sponsored puppies and hosted puppy familiarisation and training visits – as well as inspiring an operational change which 2017’s successful charity can benefit from.
Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Executive Gordon Dewar said: “The staff voting for our Charity of the Year at Edinburgh Airport is always an exciting time in the calendar – and I look forward to reading the submissions that come in.
“Guide Dogs Scotland has been a tremendous organisation to work with in 2016 and the partnership has inspired our staff to hold numerous fundraising events as well as hosting puppy training and familiarisation visits to the airport. We’ve even adapted our internal processes; including giving untampered confiscated items at security to our charity – a first for a UK airport.
“As Edinburgh Airport continues to grow 2017 has the potential to be another record breaking year – that highlights what a great opportunity for third sector and voluntary organisations that this really is.”
Guide Dogs Scotland community fundraiser Kyla Stratton said: “Being Edinburgh Airport’s Charity of the Year for 2016 has been a real boost for Guide Dogs Scotland. As well as weighing in with valuable fundraising drives, the airport team have supported key campaigns like Guide Dogs Week, helping us to reach a bigger audience with our messages about supporting people with sight loss.
“It has also been a real pleasure to see the engagement and response from the airport staff, who backed us so warmly throughout the year, especially with fundraising, welcoming our puppy visits, and sponsoring our puppies.”
Get more information on how to apply here.
