Fundraising organisation Cerebral Palsy Aberdeen (CPA) has announced that it is to close on 19 June. Remaining funds from CPA are to be transferred to Cerebral Palsy Scotland and ring-fenced for use by people with cerebral palsy living in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Set up on 18 June 1973, Cerebral Palsy Aberdeen was dedicated to raising money for the purpose of distributing grants to benefit people with cerebral palsy and related conditions.
CPA’s Chairperson, June Waters, is due to retire from the committee on 13 June 2023, leaving only four committee members, none of whom are available to act as Chairman.
Initially an Aberdeen Committee of the Spastics Association, it became an independent charity at a later date, known as Aberdeen and District Cerebral Palsy Association, more recently changing name to Cerebral Palsy Aberdeen.
The charity gave regular funding grants over its nearly 50 year lifespan. For example, aA PhD student was funded for three years to carry out cerebral palsy research, Cerebral Palsy Scotland was funded to run outreach therapy sessions for adults with cerebral palsy in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, public parks and gardens received funding for play equipment, and many individuals received grants for equipment such as standing frames, all-terrain buggies, specialised wheelchairs, trikes, electronic devices, iPads, and specialised items not supplied by the NHS or Local Authority.
Commenting on CPA’s closure, Cerebral Palsy Scotland CEO, Stephanie Fraser, said:
“We were all very saddened to hear of the decision to close Cerebral Palsy Aberdeen. The charity has a long history of helping people with cerebral palsy and their families in the Aberdeen City and Shire area. We would like to sincerely thank the CPA committee and supporters for putting their trust in us to manage the charity’s remaining funds. We’re committed to using these to support children and adults with cerebral palsy from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to access our specialist therapy and other services.”
June Waters, Cerebral Palsy Aberdeen Chairperson, said:
“On 19 June 2023 Cerebral Palsy Aberdeen (CPA) closed down, exactly 50 years to the day it was set up in 1973. All remaining funds were transferred to Cerebral Palsy Scotland, to be used for the benefit of people with cerebral palsy residing in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
I and the CPA committee members, Lesley, Rhona, Susan and Amy, would like to thank Cerebral Palsy Scotland for their support over the years, and send best wishes to everyone at Cerebral Palsy Scotland, wishing them well in the future.”