STAFF at Martin Aitken & Co have selected the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice as their designated charity for the next twenty-four months.

The firm asked staff to nominate a charity and a majority opted to support the Hospice from May 1.

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, located beside the River Clyde, provides specialist palliative care for people with life-limiting illnesses, usually cancer, and support for their families and carers. It brings comfort and peace of mind to those for whom cure is no longer possible and also offers practical and emotional support to families and carers.  
MACo Partner Elaine Dyer said: "We are delighted to support the Hospice. Our staff have supported Yorkhill Hospital over the last two years and have raised in excess of £10,000, so I am confident we can raise a similar sum for the Hospice which does such important work.
"Our first fundraising effort involves taking part in the charity's first-ever Midnight Walk on Saturday 15 May. This is a 5k or 10k walk along the Clydeside, crossing six of Glasgow's bridges and passing the Hospice on the way.
"We plan to open our offices in Seaward Street on the evening of May 15 so  the entire MACo team can meet and set off together for the start point at the SECC, returning to the office at the end of the event for some refreshments.
"It promises to be a thoroughly rewarding and fun night which will enable the Hospice to help terminally-ill patients face their own personal challenges and make the most of the time they have remaining."
And now that the decision has been taken to support the charity, Martin Aitken Chairman Jim McInroy revealed for the first time the connection between the two organisations.

"Many of our current staff probably don't know that Martin Aitken was instrumental in the whole setting up of the Hospice in the early 1980s. My partner, then Hugh Cosgrove, helped our then largest client McGavigan Group's Chairman Mr McGavigan to get the whole Hospice going.

"We were the accountants and Hugh was the treasurer for many years. He left MACO in 1993 so the relationship is strong and enduring.

"I'm delighted that we will support the Hospice; I didn't say anything during the selection process in order not to sway any decision."