Aberlour Sustain Angus: Supporting families who are teetering on the edge of crisis.

McIntosh of Strathmore is delighted to name Aberlour Sustain Angus as the latest recipient of the McInvest Grant Award, in recognition of their inspiring and essential work supporting families across Angus.

Aberlour’s Sustain Angus team works directly with families who are teetering on the edge of crisis—where home life is strained to breaking point, and children are at risk of being taken into care. Many of these families are living in poverty, weighed down by the daily pressures of adversity. For young people, this can lead to poor mental health, isolation, and disengagement from school and community life.

Aberlour’s approach is simple yet powerful: they create opportunities for families to spend quality time together, reconnect, and build resilience—through small but meaningful experiences that would otherwise be out of reach.

The McInvest Grant will help fund a wide range of family and youth activities, from bowling and beach trips to attending a football match or theatre show. At an average cost of just £40 per experience, these outings provide vital moments of joy and relief—giving families time to unwind and strengthen their relationships.

As Aberlour celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, McIntosh of Strathmore is proud to support a charity with such a long-standing and meaningful legacy in Scottish communities. If you wish to find out more about the fantastic work over at Aberlour Children’s Charity, visit their website here. 

If you represent a local charity or community group—or know one doing great work—who could benefit from our McInvest Grant Award, we invite you to apply today by clicking here. 

In-house fundraising day at Strathmore Foods in aid of Cash for Kids Tayside and Fife.

On Friday 16th May, the team at McIntosh of Strathmore held an in-house raffle and bake sale in support of Cash for Kids Tayside & Fife. We’re pleased to share that, thanks to the generosity and involvement of our staff, we raised a total of £777.

A number of colleagues got involved by baking and buying cakes, and the raffle was made possible thanks to some fantastic donations from Scottish businesses including Taylors Snacks, Mrs Tilly’s, and Tunnock’s, among others. We’re really grateful to everyone who contributed.

The money raised will go towards helping children in the local area who are living in difficult circumstances. For many, school meals are the only proper meal they receive – and with the summer holidays approaching, this support is especially important. This donation will help ensure that no child goes without during the school break.

We’re proud to continue supporting the work of Cash for Kids and would like to thank everyone who helped make the fundraiser a success.

Simba Memory Box Project: Supporting families who have experienced the loss of a baby.

McIntosh of Strathmore is proud to announce the latest recipient of the McInvest Grant Award—a compassionate organisation dedicated to supporting families who have experienced the loss of a baby. Since 2005, this organisation has provided comfort to grieving families through its Memory Boxes, bereavement rooms in hospitals, and remembrance sculptures across Scotland.

Losing a baby is an unimaginable tragedy, and during such a painful time, families need care, support, and the opportunity to create lasting memories. This organisation works closely with healthcare professionals to ensure its Memory Boxes are gifted with confidence and sensitivity. These boxes serve as a vital tool for families, helping them navigate their grief and providing a safe space to express emotions.

Each year, 2,500 families benefit from these thoughtfully crafted Memory Boxes, which come in three different sizes depending on the stage of pregnancy at the time of loss. Every box contains handmade keepsakes, such as knitted teddies and a birth acknowledgement certificate, offering a tangible way for families to cherish their baby’s memory. By providing these Memory Boxes, the organisation helps to reduce feelings of guilt and shame often associated with baby loss, potentially lessening the long-term mental health impact on grieving parents.

The impact of this organisation extends beyond bereaved families. Its work also supports healthcare professionals, equipping them with the training and confidence needed to provide compassionate care during difficult moments. Meanwhile, volunteers involved in creating and distributing the Memory Boxes find fulfilment, friendship, and purpose through their contributions.

In addition to its work within hospitals, the organisation maintains remembrance sculptures across Scotland, including its Trees of Tranquillity—places where families can reflect, remember, and honour their babies, no matter how recent or long ago their loss. These spaces offer comfort, privacy, and a peaceful setting for anyone seeking a moment of remembrance.

To find out more about Simba Memory Boxes, you can visit their website here. 

If you know any local community groups or charities that would benefit from our McInvest grant, you can find out more and apply on our website here. 

Mission Christmas: Ensuring that every child wakes up to a present on Christmas morning.

At McIntosh of Strathmore, we believe in the power of community and the importance of lending a hand to those who need it most. We are thrilled to announce the recipient of our December 2024 McInvest donation was Cash for Kids – Tayside and Fife.

Cash for Kids is a remarkable charity dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, from birth to 18 years old. Their mission is to provide support when it’s needed most—whether that’s helping to combat poverty, providing for those with additional needs, or simply ensuring children have the opportunity to thrive and be themselves.

One of their standout initiatives is Mission Christmas, a nationwide appeal that helps bring festive cheer to children who might otherwise go without. For many families struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis, the festive season can be especially challenging, with Christmas presents becoming an unaffordable luxury. Mission Christmas aims to make sure no child wakes up on Christmas morning without a gift to open.

This year, Cash for Kids received a record number of gift applications, reflecting the growing need in communities across the UK. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, local businesses, schools, and community groups, Cash for Kids Tayside and Fife were able to deliver presents to 4,745 kids across their region. It’s a testament to the power of collective action and kindness.

As part of our McInvest initiative, not only did we contribute funding to support this incredible mission, but members of our team also had the privilege of volunteering at the Cash for Kids – Tayside and Fife headquarters in Dundee. Helping to sort and organise donated gifts and fulfil requests for disadvantaged children was a humbling and eye-opening experience. It reinforced the importance of this vital cause and gave us a sense of pride in contributing to such meaningful work.

One of our team members shared, “It was heart-warming to see the community come together to help children in need. We were so glad to play a small part in ensuring no child was forgotten this Christmas.”

We’re incredibly proud to support Cash for Kids and their unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families.

If you’re a representative of a community group or charity—or know someone who is—that could benefit from our McInvest grant award scheme, we encourage you to apply today. Together, we can continue to create positive change for those who need it most.

Apply now and let’s work together to make a difference in 2025 and beyond!