An Aberdeen-based charity is cooking up a storm thanks to a generous donation from North-east construction business, CHAP Group.

Archway, which supports adults and children with learning difficulties, was chosen as the company’s nominated charity of the year to support, and as well as raising over £6,000, CHAP have also kitted one of the Archway units out with a new kitchen.

The kitchen, worth around £2,500, has been especially adapted to suit the needs of the services users at the Dyce centre and will allow users to be more involved – learning new cookery and baking skills.

CHAP’s charity committee set out to raise £3,000, however such was the success of their fundraising, the charity will now receive double that.

Janine Davies, fundraising manager at Archway, is overwhelmed by the generosity CHAP has shown.

She said: “Everyone at Archway is absolutely delighted with the level of support CHAP has shown.

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“When they volunteered to raise funds for us we were hugely grateful, so for the company to have gone over and above this with the fantastic gift of a new kitchen for the Dyce unit, is just wonderful."

Diane Thain, who is part of the CHAP charity committee, added: “CHAP was looking to support a local charity throughout 2010, and Archway provides such a vital service for so many people throughout Aberdeen and the surrounding areas, that we were keen to do what we could. It has been great to offer them a bit of extra help and see what difference it can make to people’s day to day lives.

“During the year we carried out many fundraising activities in order to raise money for Archway, however we heard that the charity was planning to embark on a fundraising campaign to raise money for a new kitchen and all had the same idea. Within the CHAP Group, we have the kitchen company NTP Kitchens and Joinery, and hoped that we could pull a few strings - in true Challenge Aneka style - to supply a new kitchen.

“It’s great to see the kitchen up and running, and we are delighted to have been able to help out such a worthwhile organisation.”

Archway is an Aberdeen-based charity which provides respite, shared and permanent care to over 200 children and adults with learning disabilities. The charity has five community based units throughout Aberdeen, which aim to help users to reach the full potential.

The charity enables service users to gain independence and develop social skills needed to enable them to live full and active lives in the local community.

(GK)