The housebuilder, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has donated £20,000 to charities which support children and adults living with cancer in Aberdeen and the Highlands.

Friends of ANCHOR and Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation are two of five Scottish charities to benefit from a share of the housebuilder’s £50,000 fund, with good causes across the country each receiving a £10,000 boost.

Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation, based in Elgin, provides support for children with cancer across the UK. The organisation gives children gifts and grants - referred to as “sparkles” - in memory of Abbie who passed away aged 15 on Christmas Day in 2017, after living with Sarcoma - a rare form of cancer.

The donation will go towards Abbie’s Christmas Sparkle gift bags, donated to children affected by cancer throughout Scotland.

Tammy Main, Abbie’s Mum and Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation charity manager, said: “Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation are delighted to receive this hugely generous donation from Barratt Developments. We are all volunteers and they made their giving as easy as possible for us.

“It was lovely to meet Doug McLeod at the David Wilson development in Elgin to share Abbie’s inspirational story and for him to hear the amazing difference this donation will make. We really do appreciate all the support we receive from our kind community.”

Friends of ANCHOR, based in Aberdeen, has a collection of specialised wards and clinics within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and invests in medical equipment and research to help diagnose, treat and care for those diagnosed with cancer.

Barratt Development’s donation will go towards funding specially-crafted experiences such as a once-in-a-lifetime trip or simply quality time with friends and loved ones, available for those receiving end-of-life care for an oncology or haematology illness in North-east of Scotland and the Northern Isles.

Sarah-Jane Hogg, director at Friends of ANCHOR said: “With such a generous gift from Barratt Developments, we’ll be able to fund at least 10 Making Memories experiences for patients and their loved ones.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Foundation and the Barratt team for choosing Friends of ANCHOR to benefit from this donation, every penny of which will go to the cause.”

Douglas McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Developments Scotland, said: “As Scotland’s leading housebuilder, with a national footprint, we’re committed to giving back to the areas in which we build.

“Charities like Friends of ANCHOR and Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation provide essential support to so many people and families affected by cancer. We’re pleased to be able to provide some support to help these charities continue their vital work in communities across the North of Scotland.”