Testimonials

The following quotes have been gathered from email and Facebook messages received from paraders, sponsors, volunteers, helpers, spectators and others who were involved in the 2011 parade.  

“I just wanted to add my thanks to you and your team for organising an extremely successful event.  Probably the largest parade I have seen in my lifetime in this City.

It was brilliant and you and your team deserve loads of praise and credit. Well done and thanks on behalf of a grateful city.” - Cllr Len Ironside CBE

”On behalf of the management committee and members we would like to thank you all for the superior job you all done to make Saturday's Celebrate Aberdeen parade such a monumental success. - Alexander Grant,  NESDVA

“Just wanted to congratulate you all on the success of the inaugural Celebrate Aberdeen parade. It was fantastic! Seeing so many charities, organisations and societies come together was brilliant - Already there is a lot of talk around 'next year could we do this…Congratulations again - you should all feel incredibly proud of what you have achieved!” – Jill Simpson, Ernst & Young

“I’m delighted all went well on Saturday. I know the Friends of ANCHOR team really enjoyed the parade. Finally, I would just like to offer my sincere congratulations to you all for making the vision a reality, no mean feat!”  – Steve Gibb, Balmoral Group

“Thank you so much for all the support that you and ACVO put in to this event on our behalf. PAMIS had a fabulous day! “ – Jenny Whinnett, Pamis

“Like many we turned up not knowing what to expect, but had a great laugh with some of our junior savers making up chants and singing as they walked down Union street. A big congratulations and look forward to seeing the pictures” . – Ewen Allardyce, Nescu

“Just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for Saturday and congratulations for a job well done! Myself and the 10 cadets had a really good time and were delighted to be involved and to be of some assistance to the groups taking part.  Despite the weather, it was great to see Union Street lined with people waving and cheering us on and I hope there was a decent amount of money collected too!” – Christa Reid, Grampian Police

“To all of you: Congratulations!  Saturday turned out so much better than I had ever imagined – and I am so glad I took a bucket since that allowed me to go amongst the spectators and speak with them directly: what incredible chance to get feedback, to tell them what we were all about...you wouldn’t credit just how little is known about the voluntary sector and this was just such a great chance to give people information. Once I overcame my hate of asking people for money directly, it went like a dream and became quite a challenge...no way was I going to return an empty bucket -  but, as I said, most folk were really willing to participate and asked loads of questions about the parade. Morven – this was your brain child, you had seen it elsewhere – and you must and ought to be soooo proud of how it went – you guys had a good team and this was just so well received. Anyway – be proud of yourselves, you deserve it.” -  Astrid Whyte,  Mental Health Aberdeen

“I am just getting round to thanking you for an amazing experience.   The organisation was first class and all your staff were so helpful.  The living well project supporters found the day a worthwhile event.  Can I also thank you for the support you gave us throughout the whole process.” – Doreen Jones, The Living Well Project

“It really was a great day! Roll on next years event????” - Port Chaplain  Aberdeen, The Sailors' Society

“We all had a great time on Saturday. Thank you all for the time and effort you put in to make it so successful” – Jean Gordon, Befriend a child

“Well done for Saturday.  The Silver City Surfers had a great time”. – Louise Farmer

“Just wanted to congratulate you on the success of the parade on Saturday -  the atmosphere was fantastic & my group thoroughly enjoyed participating.  The organisation was fantastic & everything went so smoothly. A great job – Avril Linton, CHSS

“What a fantastic day on Saturday, we were delighted to be part of the parade and you have all done an amazing job at organising this.  Everyone here is commenting how great the day was, so well done and thank you so much.” – Nicky Findlay, Drugs Action

 “I just want to congratulate everyone at ACVO (and all the other organisers) on the success of Saturday's 'Celebrate Aberdeen' parade. It was a wonderful and joyful occasion - a real celebration of Aberdeen's incredible Third Sector. We at the Aberdeen City Centre Parish Grouping certainly hope that it won't be a one-off event. Congratulations again.” – Ian McIver, Aberdeen City Parish Group

“Just wanted to offer my congratulations to you and the ACVO team on Saturday’s parade. I managed to see some of it with my little boy and given his enthusiastic clapping he seemed to think it was great as well.  Glad to see in the evening express that there’s talk of it becoming an annual thing. Hopefully it will raise the profile for ACVO and the charities involved and get some more local support generated.”  – Laura Petrie, Paull & Williamsons

“A short note to say that I’ve enjoyed meeting you and the experience of being involved behind the scenes with the parade.  Saturday was a tremendously positive event and a real force for good in the city.” – Iain Abernethy, Johnston Carmichael

“On Saturday we had the pleasure of being one of over 130 third sector organisations to take part in the Celebrate Aberdeen parade. Seeing around 3,000 people march down Union St to the Castlegate with dozens more cheering on from the sidelines was amazing. It was wonderful to see so many people marching in the VSA "gang", in particular many of our service users. I would like to thank Brewin Dolphin for sponsoring us to take part in the parade, and in particular Susie Macleod who marched with us and looked resplendent in a flowing purple wig!  A big nod should also go to the organisers of the parade who managed to pull off an amazing event without a hitch. We look forward to supporting next year's event. Thanks also to Mary Drever and the amazing Dezibels who provided some fab music for us to stomp down the streets to. I'm pleased to say Scotty, our mascot, also managed to get himself on the STV news on Saturday night by "casually" walking past the camera while the event organisers were being interviewed. That dog has no shame! – Karen Barlow, VSA

“Thank you from SSAFA for such a great chance to get our message across. Despite the weather the Parade was a success and the arrangements went like clockwork. Special thanks to the organisers who seemed to think of everything and to Eye Candy for the flag & banners which will be very useful to us– Alan Johnston, SSAFA

“On behalf of the CHAS Aberdeen Office, our supporters and our volunteers can I say a huge thank you to you and all the Celebrate Aberdeen Team for what was an amazing event on Saturday. Walking up towards the castle gate and being completely surrounding by our third sector colleagues really was quite the spectacle and I know that the experience surpassed everyone’s expectations. We really do appreciate how much effort everyone put into organising us, the sponsorship, the permissions, the PR and everything else that came with the parade.  We were delighted to be part of it!” – Sarah Secombes, CHAS

 “What terrific organisation! It all went so smoothly too. It was great taking part and speaking to some of the other organisations”. – Anne Carmichael, Independent Age

“I’m gutted I missed the parade on Saturday but all feedback has been positive,

Well done to all concerned and I hope this is going to become an annual event.” – Karen Farquhar, Befriend a Child

“We are delighted to be able to keep such a fab resource,   It was a superb event, well organised and we enjoyed participating” – Chris, Silver City Surfers

“The Celebrate Aberdeen event on Saturday was brilliant, really fantastic. I was struck by the great humour as well as the sense of camaraderie demonstrated by all that attended. Indeed the whole event was just magic!  Many thanks to you all for helping organize the event.   Were looking forward to next year. [ Their sponsor, BAA]  have been extremely positive and supportive towards us at Apex. Thanks again for all your graft in organizing the celebrate Aberdeen event. I can imagine it was a load of work!!! – Scott Allan, Apex

“Thanks again for a great day on Saturday. I tabled the following motion in Parliament today: Congratulations to Celebrate Aberdeen. That the Parliament congratulates Morven Mackenzie and all of the organisers and participants of the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade on Saturday 11 June 2011; recognises the efforts of volunteers, the third sector, community organisations and charities in Aberdeen and throughout the rest of Scotland, and hopes that this celebration can become an annual event in the Granite City’s calendar.  A fair number of MSPs have already signed it. - Kevin Stewart MSP, Aberdeen Central”

“Just want to say a Big Thank You for Saturday. It was really fantastic. Torry St. Fittick's Lunch Club group had a super time and had a good laugh together and with our sponsor group. The whole Parade was Perfect in organisation. Grateful thanks to the Team!!!” -  Ann Lundie, Torry St Fittick’s Lunch Club

“Given the extraordinary numbers, went very well indeed!” – Dave Simmers, CFINE

“We all enjoyed taking part and appreciate the hard work yourself and all involved had to put in to make parade such a success....looking forward to the next one!” – Lynn Scott, Crossroads

“Thanks so much for the opportunity” – Linda Duncan, Grandparents as Parents

“Thank you for the feedback after the event I am really glad the event went well” – Colin Parker, Aberdeen Harbour Board

“Well done re Celebrate Aberdeen too - media coverage looked good and have heard good things about the parade from the folk that I have spoken to”. – Matthew Reid, Langstane Housing

Please accept the sincere appreciation of Redemption International for the Blind for your invaluable role in ensuring the charity's effective participation in last weekend's Celebrate Aberdeen Parade.” - Ugochukwu Okonkwo, Redemption International for the Blind

“There was certainly a great turn out in both the parade, and from the public.” – Gavin Paterson, Aberdeen Douglas Hotel

“Thank you for all your hard work organising Celebrate Aberdeen, we really enjoyed the day and it helped to bring back into focus the reasons we started the Zoe-Lee foundation. We were impressed with the banners and flags, looking forward to next years parade already, Thanks again”-  Alistair and Moira Stenton, Zoe-Lee Foundation

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work on Celebrate Aberdeen with you and the rest of the ACVO team. This experience has taught me a lot about the planning that goes into large events and I am so grateful as it will be invaluable to my future. Well done to you for all your hard work and perhaps next year you will have another event I can help with” Catherine Seam, RGU Volunteer

“First of all, I would like to say that VSA, and me personally, were delighted to be a part of Celebrate Aberdeen.  I thought the whole event was managed really, really well and the process was extremely stress-free for us as an organisation.   The information packs, etc that were sent out were very thorough and the instructions were all clear and easy to follow. The organisation on the day was fantastic.  I’m sure trying to arrange so many people was a logistical nightmare but I felt that everything rang very smoothly.  The sight of so many third sector people coming together was amazing!  The whole thing made me feel more than a bit emotional!” – Karen Barlow, VSA

“I loved the parade really hope it goes ahead next year, we will be better prepared and more colourful. We had 4 from Aberdein Considine there and have spoken to them about future parade if it goes ahead”. – Debbie Greig, Torry Youth Café

“We really enjoyed getting to join the parade and I would certainly jump at the chance to do it again! I would be delighted to help out with any future enquiries “– Angie Smart, Aberdeen Douglas Hotel

“What a success your Celebrate Aberdeen day was – with lots of happy faces in the parade!  Linking up employers with other organisations in the Community was definitely a great idea for bringing lots of people together for greater contact, team-working and support both now and in future”. – Ruth Leith, Grampian Credit Union

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to write to you and everyone on the Celebrate Aberdeen Team to thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, for allowing Inspire the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic day.  As you know, Inspire is one of Scotland’s largest charities which supports hundreds of adults, young people and children with learning disabilities and additional support needs across North East Scotland. We boast a variety of unique projects ranging from residential housing services to employment initiatives across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.  Celebrate Aberdeen was a fantastic platform to showcase our fantastic work at Inspire, and all our volunteers had a great time. I also personally feel that having a sponsor for each charity was a fantastic idea and we are hoping to have a very fruitful relationship with HSBC in the future…… Watch this space!  I know how much work has gone into making Saturday such a success and that is down to the fantastic Celebrate Team and you should all be so proud of such a great achievement. I know when I turned to look back up Union Street when we were at Market Street, the sight of so many people marching behind me had me in awe, I can only imagine what it must have looked like for those standing at the Castlegate watching the whole parade unfold. Thank you again, from everyone at Inspire, for allowing us to share in such a great day, and at such a great event.” – Sarah Farquhar, Inspire

“I just wanted to say the feedback I have been getting from Girlguiding Aberdeen has been fantastic. The girls had a great time and everyone was really impressed with the breadth of organisations involved on the day. The team are also delighted that we get to keep the flag and one of our banners - a welcome addition to our stash of PR materials.A huge, massive thank you from ourselves to everyone involved!” – Emma Pettis, Aberdeen Girlguiding

“Just wanted to say a Big Thank you for todays event we had a great day and look forward to hearing when the next one will be. well done to everyone that put time in to organise this day.”. – Anne Coffin, Cats Protection

“A big thanks goes to all at ACVO & Mackenzie PR for the organising of such a fantastic day, Judy & Allan for sponsoring us & funding our new banners/flag & Roodsigns for making our cool famous dyslexic masks (I think we’ll have another order soon!)” – Susan Strachan, Dyslexia Scotland

“we have great memories of the day and its the first time for a few of our members who have never walked down the centre of Union Street, roll on the next one” – DISSC

“We had a wonderful parade day...thanks to the organisers...from all at AIYF”

“Not often we get the chance for members, parents, volunteers, tutors and supporters to come together and have fun...we laughed (all day) we cried (blisters) we sang (memorably) we snapped (photos) we signed (BSL) and we celebrated (not for public reading)...! Fantastic!” Debbie Kirkness, Music 4 U

“Fabulous, amazing day. Well done to all involved. Was really proud to be part of this”. Karen Barlow, VSA

“WOW - what a day! Well done to everyone! Thanks to everyone at Celebrate Aberdeen”. Susan Crighton, CLAN

“What a fantastic day! A huge thank you to the team at Celebrate Aberdeen , our great volunteers (you make every event so much easier with your support) and our new friends at HSBC.” Inspire Online

“Proud to be an Aberdonian today- ACE Parade delighted to see the Third Sector championing who they are and the difference they make to the Aberdeen community.” Pauline Gerrard

“Thanks for all your hard work we all had a great time” Create

“Brilliant event. Well done to everyone who helped make it happen. Aberdeen Celebrated!” George Adam

“

Well done. Fantastically well organised and stayed dry. All in a great event.” Rev Keith Blackwood

“Unbelievable! It took 40 minutes to pass. What a wake up call to the size of the charitable sector.” Sheila Ritchie

“The Parade was fantastic - felt even prouder to be part of the sector -  well done to organisers, participants, stewards, helpers, drummers!” Jackie Walker

“I was very proud of all from ACVO on Saturday.  The pride and good humour was very evident and the banter superb.   I want personally to thank each and very one of you for your efforts and input.  I especially wish to thank Alison who guided us through the quite complex arrangements and managed to keep smiling on the day.    ACVO showed what a team we are and no one could fail to see it.   Thanks again.   You are all very special people.” Doug Duthie, Chairman, ACVO