Good causes around Scotland benefited from £7,042 in donations from BEAR Scotland in April, May and June 2024. This underlines the leading trunk road operator’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates.

Charities benefiting

April saw the annual BEAR Scotland Staff Five-a-side Football Tournament take place in Perth in aid of SAMH. The Scottish mental health charity saw a boost of £1,382 as a result of the competition.

BEAR’s long-standing support of the work of road safety charity, BRAKE was reiterated with a £500 donation in June. Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance also got a £210 funding injection.

BEAR’s focus on local and regional causes, nominated for support by BEAR employees, continued with three charities benefiting from £750 each. In the North West area it was Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes. In the South East it was Borders Water Rescue, and the Reconnection Project in Dundee was chosen in relation to BEAR’s ongoing responsibility for the A92 between Dundee and Arbroath.

The roads maintenance organisation also supported one employee’s personal fundraising challenge to trek the Saraha and complete the Glen Coe Half Marathon for CHAS with a £250 corporate donation.

Community involvement

BEAR Scotland is committed to delivering a positive social footprint and that means supporting community initiatives as well as traditional charities.

This quarter saw some youth sports initiatives benefit. For instance, two community football teams were awarded £250 each by BEAR, namely Eyemouth Girls Football Club and Milton of Keys Kids Football Club.

Kingussie High School Shinty Team was granted £250 towards its USA trip. BEAR also sponsored promising downhill bike specialist, Kalin Macleod to the tune of £250. Another sponsorship was £500 towards the Armed Forces Scotland and Northern Ireland Personnel Recovery Centre’s Spring Ball.

BEAR was proud to be able to support the prestigious European Pipe Band Championships at the Perth Highland Games with a £150 sponsorship.

The Handicabs Lothian project to convert a bus to allow for Ukrainian support was offered £100 from BEAR.

Newtongrange Primary School south of Edinburgh benefited from £100 towards its playground refurbishment.

BEAR’s teams also supported communities by volunteering their time and skills. Some workers from the Burghmuir depot converted felled trees into benches and seats for Kidz Stop Nursery in Linlithgow. Meanwhile the electrical team put up and took down the bunting for the Dalgety Bay and Kirkliston Gala Days.