Who We Are

Cash for Kids is a grant-giving charity helping the children that need it most across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Our mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in our communities who are affected by illness, poverty, neglect or have additional needs. We believe that all children should be able to express their individuality, achieve their potential and live life to the full.

We work with local grassroots organisations across the region that aim to make a difference to young lives, and directly support families who often have nowhere else to go through our regular grant rounds.

We commit that at least 80p from every £1 we receive goes back into our local communities.

Local Executive Board

Mike Naysmith Managing Director, Cala Homes (North) - Mike’s career spans 17 years in the building industry having been in the driving seat for some of the biggest housing developers in the UK. Now managing director of CALA Homes (North), Mike has a passion for land, design and homes – particularly in Aberdeen and the north of Scotland. Having recently launched CALA Homes (North) as a new and separate division of CALA, Mike led the new team in the depth of a recession which has since trebled in staff and quadrupled in profit. Outside of work, Mike enjoys golf, motorsport and is a keen runner. He has completed four marathons and various other races following a new found love of the sport thanks to his fitness-fanatic wife. He’s a family man, with a wife Lynne and two children Rachel and Rebecca.

James Knowles - Jim has been involved with Cash For Kids for 10 years. He is also Chairman of Balmoral Road Races Ltd, a founding member of Grampian Food Forum and Taste of Grampian, Chairman of LEADER in Aberdeenshire, a European fund to support communities in rural areas, and Shadow Board director Sirius Ltd, a social landlord organisation. Jim is a member of the North Sea Commission Innovation and Education Group and a member of Scottish Government Committees on Food, Fisheries and Communities.

Jeff Diack - Jeff has been with Northsound since the age of 17 and is now host of Northsound 1's breakfast show alongside his pal Lauren. He is a strong supporter of Cash of Kids and wants to make life better for the children who need it most in the North East of Scotland. He lives in Aberdeen with his partner and rescue dog Archie.

Victoria Buchanan - Victoria is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and went on to become a Chartered Accountant having trained with Anderson Anderson and Brown. She spent six years in Practice, specialising in Corporate Finance. After spending time with Norwegian Private Equity Fund, Energy Ventures AS, she joined Shell Technology Ventures backed Portfolio company, Tendeka, focussing on Acquisitions and Corporate Development. In 2016, Victoria started her own family and is currently enjoying precious time with her Son, Robbie, now 3.

Reis Robertson

John Slater

Paul Griffin

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