Petrofac's enchanting funding for neo-natal unit

Petrofac volunteers put in a towering effort to help raise £1,750 for an Aberdeen children’s charity at Crathes Castle this week.

Petrofac Offshore Projects and Operations employees braved the elements to volunteer at the ‘Enchanted Castle’ sound and light show to collect much-needed funds – across five evenings - for their chosen ‘Charity of the Year’, Friends of the Special Nursery, the charity of Aberdeen Maternity Hospital’s neo-natal unit for premature and sick babies.

Mark Falconer, Project Manager, Petrofac said: “My son was born eight and a half weeks premature weighing just 3lbs 8oz; it was a terrifying time for us and I believe he would not be here today were it not for the first class dedication of the staff at the unit.  Cameron is now a happy and healthy 12 year old in his second year at Alford Academy.  I jumped at the chance to fundraise at this year’s show to give something back.

Julie Wilson, Treasurer, Friends of the Special Nursery said: “We were delighted to team up with Petrofac at this family-focused event to fundraise and raise awareness of our charity. The financial support will enable us to purchase essential items from our wish-list so we can continue to support families and give fragile newborns the best possible start in life.”

Petrofac also asked the children of staff members to draw their own interpretation of an enchanted scene to win the opportunity to switch on the lights at the Enchanted Castle.  Liam Pullwitt (5) - son of Tanja Pullwitt, Senior HSSE Advisor at Petrofac – produced the winning entry.  When asked why he wanted to win, Liam said: “Because it is fun to switch on the lights.  If we can see all the castles we can find the knights and ghosts and see how they used to live.”

Fundraising at the ‘Enchanted Castle’ is just one of a range of activities being undertaken by Petrofac teams and departments, who have already raised more than half of their initial target - £33,000, to buy a specialist ‘Giraffe’ incubator for the unit.