A COMMITMENT to excellence in its safety culture, and staff fundraising efforts, have resulted in ExxonMobil Chemical Limited and Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) donating more than £9,100 to worthy local causes.

Aberlour Children’s Charity, MS Society and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) have received cheques for £2,400, £1,715 and £3,870 respectively, through FEP’s Safety Forum.

The scheme rewards excellent health and safety practices, ideas and improvements with donations made to a charity ‘pot’ that is then divided between organisations chosen by staff.

In addition, a further £1,150 has been raised for Alzheimer Scotland at the Fife Ethylene Plant’s annual charity dance.

Sonia Bingham, FEP plant manager, said: “As a major employer in the area for more than 30 years, we are committed to supporting our community and helping local charities to thrive.

"The Safety Forum is popular with staff as it recognises best practice in workplace safety and allows us to make regular donations to causes close to all of our hearts.

“We recently set a record of 22 years without a serious injury on site and the Safety Forum has been a major part of this.”

Aberlour, which helps children who are often described as Scotland’s ‘hidden’ children, because they are so marginalised, will use the donation to reach some of the most vulnerable children in Scotland. The charity helps by providing a safe and loving home for those who’ve experienced abuse and trauma.

Director of marketing and fundraising, Pippa Johnston, said: “We are very grateful to ExxonMobil for this generous donation.

"At Aberlour, we know that there are children out there suffering, and we need to help them quickly before damage is done and before families are torn apart. The clock is ticking and we must stop children suffering, before it’s too late. Support from companies like ExxonMobil can make all the difference, between being just in time to help a child – and it being too late.”

Money donated to MS Society Scotland's Fife Group will be used to support several initiatives in the area. Plans include a summer family event, the formation of a new group for men with MS, as well as looking into the feasibility of a counselling service.

MS Society Fife Group support volunteer, Liz Teevan, said: “ExxonMobil's generous donation means that we can continue to provide services to the MS community in Fife and we are truly grateful for their support.

“A large part of our work involves raising awareness of MS which is unpredictable and can cause problems with how a person walks, moves and feels.

"We really appreciated the invitation to speak to the employees to give them some idea of what MS is, and how their kindness helps us to support some of the people living with MS in our communities.”

SAMH will also put its funding to use on several Fife based projects. These include a peer intiative to aid individuals in understanding their mental wellbeing, a sport and physical activity project, a mental health and wellbeing through horticulture programme, and support services.

SAMH campaigns and communications manager Marisa Mahood said: “We are thrilled that ExxonMobil has chosen to raise funds for SAMH, a heartfelt thank you. At SAMH we know how a mental health problem can affect everything. It can have the most profound impact on our relationships, our work, our wellbeing and our quality of life.

“We will put this generous contribution to good work, and be there for people when they need us.”

Gail McLeod, service manager from Alzheimer Scotland, in Fife, said: “We are thrilled to receive such a kind donation from ExxonMobil to help us to continue the important work that we do to support people living with dementia and their families across the region.

"Every penny counts and we will put this money to good use to support our mission that nobody should face dementia alone.”

These awards represent the latest in the company’s ongoing community initiatives. Earlier this year, members of staff at FEP arranged the annual Senior Citizens’ Burns Lunch. Approximately 65 senior citizens from Burntisland attended the afternoon event that was filled with recitations of the Bard’s work and music. Approximately 200 people had been set to attend, but bad weather led to the cancellation of lunches scheduled for Cardenden and Cowdenbeath. Senior Citizens from Cardenden and Cowdenbeath will be invited to attend a Burns Lunches in 2019.

Last year, FEP donated more than £120,000 through safety incentive schemes, school grants and support for community initiatives, such as the Safe Drive Stay Alive scheme.

ExxonMobil’s FEP is one of Europe's largest ethylene plants. Around 150 employees and 50 core contractors work at the plant, with more than 73% living within six miles of the plant.