Arlo the Alpaca, part of a fundraising initiative
by ABP Southampton staff
Staff at ABP’s Port of Southampton have raised over £12,000 for its Charity of the Year, Southampton Sight.
Based in Bassett, Southampton Sight offers a one-stop hub for people living with sight loss. This can include information and advice about equipment or visual aids, arranging for a volunteer to visit a blind or partially sighted person at home, or offering emotional reassurance.
During a difficult time for many, where restrictions prevented teams getting together to fundraise, staff at the port worked within the constraints to raise money. One initiative saw Arlo the pink Alpaca spending time with teams across the port and ‘reporting back’ on his adventures across marine, engineering, cruise, stevedores, property and business support. ABP was also able to raise funds for Southampton Sight during Southampton Boat Show by donating car parking fees, an initiative set up by two former port staff over a decade ago. In total, £12,074 has been donated to the charity.
ABP Southampton Director, Alastair Welch, says: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, I am proud of how our teams have responded and been able to raise money for this important cause. Southampton Sight has a brilliant ethos and makes a powerful difference to people’s lives. It has been a pleasure working together.”
Southampton Sight Chief Executive, Jackie Powers, says: “Southampton Sight cannot thank ABP enough for their support over the last two years. The COVID-19 crisis meant we had to change the way we delivered our services for the people living with sight loss in Southampton and without the help from organisations like ABP we would not have been able to do this. Thank you so much!”
Each year, ABP Southampton staff members select a charity for which they will fundraise. The port will soon announce its charity for 2022.
