I'm the Manager of a beloved café called ReCHarge in the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen, a place where 100% of our profits go towards supporting Charlie House, a vital charity aiding families with children in the north east of Scotland facing life-limiting conditions. This café isn't just a coffee shop; it’s a lifeline to our community, a haven for families, local groups, and a beacon of hope for many. The café has not only managed to sustain itself financially during challenging times but also supports the charity much like the events Charlie House hosts annually.

Now, the future of our cherished ReCHarge Café is being taken away. The charity has made the difficult decision to close it, citing cost-saving measures, at the expense of loyal staff jobs, fantastic volunteers and forsaking a reliable source of income for the charity. Shutting down this café would eliminate a thriving community space that provides more than just profits – it offers specialist facilities for those with disabilities and serves as a gathering space for all.

In the face of fundraising struggles, our ReCHarge Café is a success story. It continues to make a difference by generating essential profits to fund Charlie House's noble mission. Closing it could potentially diminish the aid families desperately need, as well as strip away an integral part of our community structure.

We urge the leaders of Charlie House and the decision-makers to reconsider this closure and engage in a community dialogue to explore alternative cost-saving measures that do not entail shutting the ReCHarge café. Perhaps re-evaluating financial strategies or seeking additional volunteers to support operations could help maintain this space's viability.

It is personal not just to me but to every customer, staff member, and volunteer who has walked through our doors. The community cannot afford to lose this essential pillar of support and joy. Help us keep the ReCHarge café open and continue the work of supporting families in the north east of Scotland.

Please sign this petition and join us in appealing to Charlie House – let’s find a sustainable solution together to save our ReCHarge Café and ensure it continues to serve its purpose: a community haven and a financial aid to Charlie House.