Aberdeen

Coach registration sale makes its mark for Aberdeen childrens hospital

Bus drivers and staff from city bus operator, First in Aberdeen, got the chance to own a piece of company history recently and help raise hundreds of pounds for sick children in the north-east of Scotland at the same time.

The staff raised more than £800 for the ARCHIE Foundation " the official charity of The Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital " through a charity auction of registration marks that had previously been used on coaches in and around the city.

The ten registrations " ESK 956, WSU 447, LSK 546, WSU 460, XWL 539, K3 GRT, K4 GRT, M11 AFC, P2 GRT and P4 GRT " were snapped up by staff who were keen to own such unusual memorabilia, some choosing particular plates because of associations with the coaches that previously bore them or because of the details in the registrations themselves.

The auction was the brainchild of First in Aberdeens Commercial Director, Joe Mackie, who is also chair of the ARCHIE Foundation. Joe said: "First is a long-time supporter of the ARCHIE Foundation and we have raised funds over the years in a variety of ways " coffee mornings, sponsored events and so on, but we were looking for something a bit different. So, when we were considering what to do with these old registrations, it seemed the ideal way to engage the staff and raise some worthwhile funds at the same time. It proved to be a great success and I would like to thank all those who purchased the registrations for their generosity.'

Mechanic Sandy Main purchased three of the registrations " LSK 529, ESK 956 and K4 GRT. He said: "I really liked the numbers that were on offer and was keen to own something a little bit different, so it was great to have successful bids for three of the registrations. Two of the plates are now on our family cars and the other " which has the Grampian Regional Transport initials of ‘GRT " will be put on another car shortly, completing our registration hat-trick!'

Staff Manager " and avid Aberdeen fan " Alan Cheyne had no doubt about the registration he wanted to get his hands on: M11 AFC. "As a part-time youth development coach with Aberdeen Football Club as well as a lifelong fan, I was chuffed to see this registration mark on the auction list', he said. "Not only because of the inclusion of the ‘AFC initials, but the M11 part of the registration can also stand for May 11, which is the date the Dons picked up the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983. This is a great piece of both transport and football history and I am delighted that it now has pride of place on my car!'

Darren Sadler, who works as a fueller/shunter, purchased registration LSK 546, which he said was "easy to remember' (!), while driver Scott Lawson was successful in bidding for two of the oldest registration marks, which date from pre-1963 " WSU 447 and WSU 460 " one of which is on his own motorbike, with the other going to his son.

Another employee, Lewis Wilson, purchased registration K3 GRT that held special memories for him as it belonged to a coach previously driven by his friend, Bobby Bird, who has since passed away.

David Cunningham, Head of Fundraising with the ARCHIE Foundation, said: "First has been a tremendous supporter of the ARCHIE Foundation over the years and I am delighted that we have been selected as recipients for this latest round of fundraising. These monies really do make a difference and will help improve the facilities at the Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital, benefiting many local families. Our heartfelt thanks go to First and all those who purchased the registration marks and I look forward to keeping an eye out for the plates when Im out and about in Aberdeen.'