Doric Skateboards Rolls Out Support for Mental Health Aberdeen with Special Auction

When passion for skateboarding meets community spirit, remarkable things can happen. Today we're sharing a chat with Gary Kemp, founder of Doric Skateboards. He's currently running a special auction for a unique Buttery skateboard deck to raise funds for Mental Health Aberdeen. We're keen to learn more about the story behind this wonderful initiative.

The timing couldn't be more significant. Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) has been a cornerstone of support in our community for an impressive 70 years, quietly but effectively helping thousands of people through their darkest times. Their impact is substantial. It's the kind of work that changes lives, often without much fanfare.

When small local businesses like Doric Skateboards step up to support such vital services, it creates a beautiful ripple effect throughout our community. We chatted with Gary to understand what drives this commitment to giving back, and how a skateboard deck can become so much more than just a piece of wood and art - it can become a symbol of community support.

Let's start with what drew you to Mental Health Aberdeen for this fundraiser. What made MHA stand out to you personally in a city with so many brilliant charitable organisations? And particularly now, when we're all feeling the pinch and mental health seems more important than ever, why do you reckon we must keep supporting organisations like this?

There’s a few charities in Aberdeen that we’ve supported over the years. All worthy but I do believe if your mental health isn’t right then life’s a struggle, no matter what else you have. So it’s important to keep contributing even in this small way. I’ve seen first hand the work they do at MHA, met a lot of the team. Inspiring folk making a difference. What’s not to like!

There's quite an interesting story behind this screen-printed deck - it's already done one round of charitable giving, which is brilliant. Could you tell me a bit about what it means to you personally that it previous winner, Ian, decided to pay it forward, and put it back into the charitable circuit for another go?

It’s quite life-affirming to meet people who are generous like that. It inspires me to do more and I hope that motivates someone else to do something good. Passing on good deeds can’t be a bad thing. All the fundraisers we’ve done I’m always chuffed at folks generosity.!

You've been doing bits of charitable work for quite a while now, and I'd love to hear about the impact you've witnessed. Over all these years of fundraising, what sort of positive changes have you observed, whether it's in the charities themselves or in the communities they're serving? Any particular moments or stories that have stuck with you?

I don’t have intimate knowledge of the charities we’ve supported but I’ve been lucky enough to be in some meetings with one or two and know people who work in others. So their stories keep me motivated to help in some way. I don’t think there’s a day in the future where we say “right no need for mental health charities or food banks anymore, we’ve fixed it!”. So it’s an on going thing unfortunately. And as long as I’m around I’ll try to facilitate something to help.

The world's changed quite a bit in recent years, especially since COVID came along. I'm curious - have you noticed any shifts in how people engage with fundraisers these days? And what do you think it is that keeps people giving, even when times are tough for many of us?

It’s difficult to answer that but I hope people dig deep because they recognise that we are all subject to bad times. So if you’re in a good place then that’s perhaps the best time to help out - whether that’s financial or time wise. And I include anyone who even engages a wee bit online as a big contribution. That extra share, like or comment can help a message reach someone else. Maybe someone who needs help and it can help trigger something positive or someone who can offer help. I don’t have any particular skill set in life where I can help so using the Doric brand and offering some products for prizes etc is what I can do.

Before we wrap up, I have to ask - what's next on the horizon for you? Any Christmas markets or festive events we should be marking in our calendars?

Ha! Nothing to promote as such. No markets again this year. I stopped them last year pretty much when our old dog got that bit older! I don’t like being away all day committed to a stall for a weekend etc at the moment. She’s 16 next year and is still hobbling along, eating lots and sleeping. Bit like me. 😬

If you'd like to support MHA and possibly get your hands on a unique piece of skateboarding art, you can find the auction for the special edition Doric Skateboards deck on eBay. There is also a fantastic print on auction. Both auctions end Thursday night (7 November).

Every penny raised goes directly to Mental Health Aberdeen, helping them continue their vital work in our community. Whether you're bidding or simply sharing the auction with others, you're playing a part in supporting mental health services that make a real difference to people's lives right here in the North East.

A massive thank you to Gary for taking the time to chat with us, and give yer auld dug a good scritch behind the ear from us. Keep an eye on Doric Skateboards' social media for more charitable initiatives - though maybe not at any Christmas markets this year, as there's an elderly four-legged friend keeping Gary busy at home!