Tattoo gifts £500,000 to Scottish Charities

Recognised for its continuing success in bringing together people, communities and nations, while helping to build upon what makes a tangible difference to individuals lives, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo today announced its latest charitable funding awards, which, amongst others, sees both ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Edinburgh’s International Festival named as beneficiaries of a generous share of a half a million pounds.

Speaking earlier this morning, Brigadier David Allfrey MBE, Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer explained: “The Tattoo has always tried to make a wider social contribution and, when we are fortunate enough to make a financial surplus, we try to support the Services and the Arts.

In the past, we have tended to make our grants without fanfare. Recently though, research has shown that very few of our customers are aware of our charitable purpose and the scale of contribution. Accordingly, we have decided to share the story.

The Tattoo is run as an effective and efficient business. The production company does the hard work of staging the show each year and the charitable company draws down the benefit. Our Board of Trustees and our staff are hugely proud of this less well-known aspect of our work.”

At a recent December Tattoo Board Meeting, the Trustees settled on the annual charitable funding awards, which help support charitable arts and Services benevolent organisations. Details of the full list of this year’s donation recipients can be found below.

Chair of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, The Right Honourable Donald Wilson, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh said: ““Not many people realise that the Tattoo is a non-profit organisation and that the proceeds go towards charitable purposes. It is great that the success of the international and iconic Tattoo brings local benefits to a wide variety of armed forces charities and artistic organisations. With our armed forces engaged in operations at this time, it’s as necessary as it ever has been to give related charities our support.”

Regional Director Scotland, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Charles Dunphie said: “I am absolutely delighted about The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s hugely generous donation to the Army’s charity. The Tattoo continues to be the most generous supporter in Scotland, helping to make a massive difference to the lives of soldiers, veterans and the families”

Said Fergus Lineham, Edinburgh International Festival Director: “From its inception within the Edinburgh International Festival programme, to its phenomenal present day success, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been a huge asset to our city and country. We are very grateful to the Tattoo for their collegiate support and their contribution to the Festival’s work.”

Robert Robson, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity remarked: “The vital but relatively unknown charitable work of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a fundamental part of the impact that the Tattoo has, which goes far beyond the extraordinary public spectacle in Edinburgh in August.

In total, 17 ships and submarines and over 1700 personnel will be away from the UK this Christmas and with the largest Service community in uniform today north of the border, and veterans whose needs are wide and urgent. We are most grateful for the very significant support from the Trustees of the Tattoo, with projects such as children’s summer camps and the provision of short term accommodation for families.”

In total more than £8million has been distributed to service and civilian charities by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo since it began in 1950.

2015 Donation Recipients include: The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, The RAF Benevolent Fund, Seafarers UK, Combat Stress, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, Army in Scotland Trust (including the Scottish National War Memorial, 51st Infantry Brigade Welfare Fund, Edinburgh Garrison Welfare Fund and the Army Piping Committee), The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Imaginate Festival, Edinburgh Mela, Edinburgh Art Festival, Traditional Art and Culture Scotland, and Edinburgh Gang Show Productions.